Arkansas Medical Cannabis Patient Count Tops 113,000 as Program Continues Steady Growth

The program was created after voters approved the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment, also known as Issue 6, in November 2016. The initiative allowed patients with qualifying conditions to access medical marijuana with physician approval. Retail sales began in May 2019 when the state’s first dispensary opened in Hot Springs, marking the start of a regulated medical market that has steadily expanded in the years since. While Arkansas operates with a relatively limited number of licensed growers and dispensaries compared to many larger states, patient participation has continued to trend upward. The latest figures show consistent month-to-month growth, underscoring sustained demand and continued reliance on medical marijuana as a treatment option across the state.

Beyond patient enrollment, sales activity in 2025 highlights the program’s scale. According to the Department of Finance and Administration, medical cannabis patients in Arkansas have purchased more than $250 million worth of marijuana products so far this year.

Now more than six years into retail operations, Arkansas’ medical marijuana program appears firmly established, with patient counts continuing to climb and annual sales remaining strong.