Arkansas medical marijuana sales top 50,000 pounds

Roughly two years after the first medical marijuana dispensary opened in Arkansas, the market has seen the sale of more than 50,000 pounds valued at $338.5 million, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the parent agency of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission.

State taxes on the dispensary sales since May 2019 total just under $34 million. Most of the tax revenue is placed in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences National Cancer Designation Trust Fund.

There are 33 dispensaries operating in Arkansas with five that are working toward opening for business (38 dispensaries have been licensed). The five working toward opening are 3J Investments (Lamar), Natural Root Wellness (Fayetteville), Pine Bluff Agriceuticals (Pine Bluff), Missco Cannabis (Jonesboro) and Natures Herbs and Wellness (Pine Bluff).

The Arkansas Department of Health reports 77,673 active patient cards.

Following are the top five dispensaries with the most medical marijuana sales.
• Releaf Center (Bentonville), first opened Aug. 7, 2019: 5,374.92 pounds
• Green Springs Medical (Hot Springs), first opened May 12, 2019: 4,238.69 pounds
• Natural Relief Dispensary (Sherwood), March 17, 2020: 3,475.65 pounds
• Suite 443 (Hot Springs), first opened May 10, 2019: 3,311.22 pounds
• Acanza (Fayetteville), first opened Sept. 14, 2019: 3,272.23 pounds

The constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana for 17 qualifying conditions and creating a state medical marijuana commission, was approved by Arkansas voters 53% (585,030) to 47% (516,525) in November 2016.