Arkansas Medical Marijuana Sales Hit Record $291 Million in 2025 as Patient Count Climbs Above 115,000

(Photo credit: District Cannabis).

Arkansas’s medical marijuana industry set a new annual sales record in 2025, and the number of registered patients continues to climb, even as the number of dispensaries in the state remains capped. According to data from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, dispensaries reported $291.1 million in sales in 2025. That surpasses the previous record of $283 million set in 2023 and marks a $15 million increase over the $275.9 million recorded in 2024. The figures signal a clear rebound after a dip in sales the prior year.

Scott Hardin, spokesperson for the Department of Finance and Administration, said the industry “certainly rebounded in 2025 with a new sales record, following a decrease in sales the previous year.” Since the program launched in 2019, Arkansas has now generated roughly $1.6 billion in cumulative medical marijuana sales.

Dispensaries also moved more product. A total of 79,223 pounds of medical marijuana were sold in 2025, up from 75,598 pounds in 2024. Suite 443 in Hot Springs, the first dispensary to open in the state in May 2019, remains the top-performing retail outlet.

The state collected substantial tax revenue from these sales. The 6.5% state sales tax combined with the 4% privilege tax generated $32.3 million in 2025. The privilege tax applies to both dispensary transactions and wholesale sales between cultivators and dispensaries.

At the same time, the number of patients participating in the program continues to grow. As of January 22, 2026, the Arkansas Department of Health reports 115,113 active medical marijuana patient cards, reflecting an over 5% increase since early 2025.

Despite rising sales and patient participation, the state’s regulatory structure continues to limit potential growth. State law caps the number of dispensaries at 40. Although 38 licenses have been issued, only 36 dispensaries were operational as of September. Secretary of Finance Jim Hudson has indicated there is no urgency to award the remaining two licenses.

Last year, Governor Sarah Huckabee vetoed legislation that would have allowed drive-thru windows, dispensary tours, and eased delivery rules, stating that the changes would expand access to usable marijuana.

Even with those limitations in place, 2025 proved to be the strongest year yet for Arkansas’s medical marijuana market.