Arkansas Cannabis Laws

Legal — Medical Only

Arkansas legalized medical marijuana in 2016 through Issue 6 (the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment). Recreational cannabis remains illegal after a 2022 ballot measure (Issue 4) failed. Only registered patients with qualifying conditions can purchase from licensed dispensaries.

Last updated: January 15, 2026

Quick Facts

Minimum Age	18+ (medical only)
Purchase Limits (Rec)	N/A — Not legal
Purchase Limits (Med)	2.5 oz (70g) every 14 days
Delivery Allowed	No
Home Growing	Not allowed. Home cultivation is illegal for all individuals, including medical patients.
Public Consumption	Prohibited. Cannabis may not be consumed in public places, on school grounds, or in any correctional facility.
ID Requirements	Valid Arkansas medical marijuana card, Government-issued photo ID
Tourist Rules	Arkansas does not recognize out-of-state medical cannabis cards. Visitors cannot purchase cannabis in Arkansas.
Penalties	Possession without a medical card is illegal. Less than 4 oz is a misdemeanor (up to 1 year, $2,500 fine). 4 oz to 10 lbs is a felony (up to 6 years, $10,000 fine).
Tax Info	Medical cannabis is subject to a 6.5% state sales tax plus an additional 4% privilege tax, plus applicable local sales taxes.

Medical Cannabis Program

Qualifying Conditions

Cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS, Tourette's, Crohn's, PTSD, severe arthritis, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's, cachexia, peripheral neuropathy, intractable pain, severe nausea, seizures, and muscle spasms.

How to Get a Card

Patients must obtain a physician certification, then apply to the Arkansas Department of Health with a $50 fee. Cards are valid for 1 year.

Medical Marijuana in Arkansas

Arkansas became the first Bible Belt state to approve medical marijuana when voters passed Issue 6 in November 2016. The program launched with dispensary sales beginning in May 2019. The state currently has 38 licensed dispensary locations.

A recreational legalization effort (Issue 4) appeared on the 2022 ballot but failed with about 44% of the vote. For now, only medical patients may legally purchase cannabis.

How to Get a Medical Card

To qualify, patients must have a diagnosed qualifying condition and receive a written certification from a licensed Arkansas physician. The physician must conduct an in-person examination (telemedicine certifications are also accepted under current rules).

Applications are submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health along with a $50 fee. The card is typically issued within 14 days and is valid for one calendar year.

Next steps: compare dispensaries in Arkansas, how to find a licensed dispensary, what to bring to a dispensary, and browse all state cannabis pages.

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Official License Lookup

Verify a dispensary's license on the official Arkansas website:

Visit Arkansas Cannabis Regulator