Medical marijuana sales in Arkansas topped $3 million through noon Thursday, according to sales figures provided by the state revenue agency.
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration said the six dispensaries in operation have sold 455 pounds totaling $3.08 million. Green Springs Medical, 309 Seneca St., continued to set the pace, accounting for more than half of the total weight with 261.54 pounds sold since its May 12 opening. The only dispensary licensed in Hot Springs' city limits, Green Springs has sold more than 65 pounds since the end of last month.
Doctor's Order's RX, 4897 Malvern Ave., followed, moving 96.10 pounds since making the state's first legal sale of the drug May 10. Arkansas' first dispensary has sold more than 15 pounds this month. The two Garland County locations held a monopoly on the state's newest enterprise, accounting for almost all of the $1.72 million in total sales through June 25, until Arkansas Natural Products in Clinton opened June 20.
The Van Buren County dispensary sold 36.39 pounds through noon Thursday.
Native Green Wellness Center in Hensley, near the Saline and Pulaski county line, sold 34.31 pounds since opening July 2. It's the third of four dispensaries licensed for the zone that includes Garland County. Natural State Medical Group holds the other Zone 6 license, but it has yet to open its Airport Road location.
Greenlight Dispensary in Helena-West Helena has sold 19.11 pounds since its June 27 opening, and Fiddler's Green in Mountain View has sold 8.28 pounds since it opened July 11.
The amendment legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes voters passed in 2016 authorizes the state Medical Marijuana Commission to issue up to 40 dispensary licenses. Licenses were awarded in January, but only six of the 32 the commission licensed are in operation.
It's considering taking action against licensees who aren't making an effort to serve the more than 14,000 people the state has certified as having a condition qualifying for medical marijuana treatment, asking the attorney general's office to review available options at its most recent meeting. DFA said it expects the review to be presented when the commission meets next month.
Medical marijuana could be expanding to northwest Arkansas soon, as DFA said its Alcohol Beverage Control division is scheduled to inspect Releaf Center and Arkansas Medicinal Source Patient Center in Bentonville July 29.
Local on 07/20/2019