Arkansas Cannabis Laws

Is cannabis legal in Arkansas?

Only medical cannabis is legal in Arkansas.

What are the medical marijuana laws in Arkansas?

Medical cannabis laws in Arkansas

2012

Ballot Measure Issue 5

Arkansans for Compassionate Care campaign to legalize medical cannabis, putting up the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act (Issue 5). The act was defeated by a vote of 48.6% to 51.4%. Many believe this is because Issue 5 permitted patients to grow their own cannabis if they lived further than 5 miles from their nearest dispensary, and allowed

2016

Ballot Measure Issue 6

Medical marijuana is legalized in Arkansas.

Prohibits the Arkansas Legislature from making marijuana illegal again without voter approval.

Also known as the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment.

An amended Issue 7 was proposed, allowing for Arkansas patients to grow their own cannabis plants, and would have been permitted to make medical marijuana illegal again with a two-thirds supermajority vote in each legislative chamber. Issue 7 was struck from the ballot.

2017

Applications for medical marijuana registration are being accepted.

Recreational cannabis laws in Arkansas

Recreational cannabis (aka adult-use cannabis) is not legal in Arkansas.There is a Ballot Initiative set to go ahead in 2022.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas?

The Arkansas law lists the following medical conditions as qualifiers for a medical cannabis card:

• AIDS/HIV
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
• Cancer
• Crohn’s Disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Neuropathy
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Seizures (including those characteristic of Epilepsy)
• Severe Arthritis
• Severe, Chronic and Intractable Pain (pain that has not responded to ordinary medications, treatment or surgical measures for more than six (6) months)
• Severe Nausea
• Severe or persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Tourette’s Syndrome
• Ulcerative Colitis

How do I get certified for medical cannabis in Arkansas?

At this time, telemedicine is not permitted in Arkansas. However, we hope this will change soon!

With Leafwell, you will be able to get your Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card in 4 steps:

1. Register online with Leafwell.
   1. It’s quick and easy! Plus all of your data and medical records are secure on our state-of-the-art, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform.
2. Meet with a certified physician online.
   1. This consultation fee is $149 for an examination, subject to change.
3. Get approved and receive via email a medical cannabis certificate from a state-licensed physician.
   1. The process is quick, simple and HIPAA-compliant. Most appointments take 15 minutes or less.
4. Get qualified for medical cannabis by attaching your certificate to a completed application. You can apply and send off your application online via the Arkansas Medical Marijuana System.
   1. The application fee, payable to the state, is $50. The application fee and the physician’s fee (mentioned above) are separate.

Is telemedicine allowed for medical cannabis consultations in Arkansas?

Yes, telemedicine is now permitted for medical cannabis consultations in Arkansas, as long as the physician is available for follow up consultations to monitor the patient’s experience with medical cannabis.

How much cannabis can I possess in Arkansas with an MMJ Card?

For medical card holders only – 2.5 oz. every 14 days.

Is it legal to grow cannabis in Arkansas?

Growing and cultivating cannabis is illegal in Arkansas, even if you are a qualifying medical marijuana patient. It is thought that the provision to grow cannabis is one of the big sore points in Arkansas medical marijuana law, and prevents it from going further.

Does Arkansas accept out-of-state cards?

Arkansas does not have medical marijuana reciprocity, so does not recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards. However, qualifying patients from other states can apply for the Arkansas medical marijuana program.

Will my Arkansas card be accepted in other states?

Your Arkansas medical marijuana card is recognized in some other states with an MMJ program.

The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

• Arizona
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• US Virgin Islands
• Utah
• Washington, D.C.

However, this does not always mean you can purchase cannabis at a medical marijuana dispensary (non-medical adult use is fine) – just that you are protected by the state’s medical marijuana laws to some extent. It is wise to call the dispensary ahead if you are a medical cannabis patient from another state and you intend on purchasing medical marijuana.

The qualifying condition usually has to match between states, so if your qualifying condition is accepted in one state and not your visiting state, your recommendation is not necessarily valid. You are also beholden to the visiting state’s medical marijuana laws, not the state that issued your card.

The following states accept out-of-state applications, allowing a visiting patient application to use medical cannabis for the duration of their stay:

• Arkansas
• California
• Hawaii
• West Virginia (cancer patients only)

Are there employment laws protecting medical cannabis card holders in Arkansas?

Under federal law, it is still illegal to own or purchase firearms in combination with possession of marijuana.

A person convicted of a felony involving violence or the violation of controlled-substance laws within the past 10 years can not serve as a caregiver or work in the medical marijuana industry.

What are the medical cannabis product testing requirements in Arkansas?

By state law, labs are largely self-policing but follow established ISO (International Standard for Organization) standards for testing, including for pesticides, solvents, moisture content, microbial contaminants and heavy metals, among other elements from every “lot” of cannabis produced.

Where is it safe to purchase cannabis in Arkansas?

In all states with a medical marijuana program, the only way to purchase medicinal cannabis products is via a legally-licensed dispensary or pharmacy, or another legally designated space to purchase cannabis. Only those with a legal license to sell cannabis can actually do so.

Where is it safe to consume marijuana in Arkansas?

All states with a medical marijuana program have some restrictions on where a person can legally use cannabis. Near schools, nurseries, parks or other places where children are expected to be, using cannabis is illegal. Use of cannabis on or in federal land or buildings, hospitals or any other such healthcare space is also illegal. Private members club and landowners may also prohibit cannabis use on their property or restrict it at their discretion.

The safest place to use medical cannabis is in the safety of your own home. It is wise to use common sense and generally keep consumption out of public view, and utilize discreet consumption methods wherever possible.