Quick Facts
| Legal Status | Medical Since | Adult Use | Access Type | Est. Cost | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Legal (2016) | 2016 | No | Licensed dispensaries — 38 statewide, medical card required | USD 40-80/eighth | No |
Legal Timeline
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Issue 6 passes (53%) — Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment enacted |
| 2018 | AMMC established; cultivation and dispensary licences issued |
| 2019 | First dispensaries open; patients begin registering for medical cards |
| 2022 | Issue 4 (adult-use) fails at ballot (56% against) |
| 2024 | Programme stable at 38 dispensaries and growing patient base |
How to Access Cannabis in Arkansas
- Consult a licensed Arkansas physician to get a written recommendation for your qualifying condition
- Apply for a patient registry ID card through the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH)
- Pay the USD 50 patient card fee; caregiver cards also available
- Visit any of the 38 licensed dispensaries statewide with your card and ID
- Patients may possess up to 2.5oz of usable cannabis
Qualifying Medical Conditions
- Chronic pain
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Hepatitis C
- Multiple sclerosis
- PTSD
- Tourette syndrome
- Crohn's disease
- ALS
- Intractable nausea
Licensed Dispensaries & Providers
| Provider | Website | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission (AMMC) | healthy.arkansas.gov | State regulator — dispensary locations and patient info |
| Natural State Medicinals | naturalstatemedicinals.com | Dispensary with multiple Arkansas locations |
| Restore Medical Cannabis | N/A | Licensed Arkansas dispensary chain |
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Estimated Cost (USD) | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Flower — 1/8 oz (3.5g) | USD 40-80 | No coverage |
| Concentrate (1g) | USD 40-70 | No coverage |
| Tincture (30ml) | USD 40-65 | No coverage |
| Patient card (annual) | USD 50 | Not covered |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is medical cannabis legal in Arkansas?+
Yes — Arkansas legalised medical cannabis in 2016 via Issue 6. The AMMC regulates cultivation and dispensing. Recreational use is not legal; voters rejected adult-use in 2022.
How do I get a medical card in Arkansas?+
Get a written certification from a licensed Arkansas physician, then apply to the Arkansas Department of Health for a patient ID card. The card costs USD 50 per year.
How many dispensaries are in Arkansas?+
Arkansas has 38 licensed dispensaries spread across the state. The number is capped by state law. Use the AMMC website or Weedmaps to find your nearest dispensary.
What can I possess with an Arkansas medical card?+
Patients may possess up to 2.5 ounces of usable cannabis at a time. Exceeding this limit is a violation of your card terms.
Is there adult-use cannabis in Arkansas?+
No — Issue 4 (adult-use legalisation) was defeated in 2022. Arkansas has a medical-only programme. Possession without a card is a criminal offence.
Can out-of-state patients use Arkansas dispensaries?+
Arkansas does not have reciprocity agreements with other states. Only Arkansas-registered patients may purchase from Arkansas dispensaries.