Arkansas medical marijuana sales down almost 4% through July

Medical marijuana sales in Arkansas between January and July total $158.5 million, down 3.7% compared with the $164.6 million in the same period of 2023. Sales since medical marijuana was legalized in 2019 total more than $1 billion.

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration reported $22.956 million in July sales, with 6,467 pounds sold. There are 37 dispensaries in Arkansas. The voter-approved amendment allowing medical marijuana sales provides for up to 40 dispensaries.

Following are the top five dispensaries for pounds sold in July.
Suite 443 (Hot Springs): 731.95 pounds
Natural Relief Dispensary (Sherwood): 540.18 pounds
CROP (Jonesboro): 366.7 pounds
Harvest (Conway): 323.47 pounds
High Bank (Pine Bluff): 315.47 pounds

“Since the first dispensary opened in 2019, Arkansans have spent approximately $1.2 billion on medical marijuana purchases. Although the overall spend has decreased since last year, we continue to see pounds sold increase, indicating lower prices,” Scott Hardin, spokesperson for Department of Finance and Administration, noted in a statement.

The Arkansas Department of Health reports 105,544 active medical marijuana patient cards as of Aug. 23, up 8.4% compared with the 97,374 active patient cards as of Jan. 9.

Arkansas medical marijuana sales set a new record in 2023 with a 2.53% increase over 2022. Following are the annual sales since 2019.
2023: $283 million
2022: $276.3 million
2021: $264.9 million
2020: $181.8 million
2019: $31.32 million

The constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana for 17 qualifying conditions and creating a state medical marijuana commission was approved by Arkansas voters 53% to 47% in November 2016.