Why are Arkansas’ “Medical” Marijuana Sales So High?
“Medical” marijuana sales in Arkansas continue to rise higher and higher, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Sales reportedly reached a record $291.1 million in 2025.
Arkansans aren’t just spending more money on “medical” marijuana. They are buying more marijuana in general — and more people appear to be using it.
In 2024, Arkansans bought 75,598 pounds of marijuana. Last year, that number climbed to 79,223 pounds.
In 2024, marijuana dispensaries sold more than $2.1 million worth of “medical” marijuana on April 20 — marijuana’s unofficial holiday. At the time, that was nearly three times the daily average sales.
In 2022, the Arkansas Department of Health reported a little over 85,000 people certified to use “medical” marijuana. By last year, that number climbed to more than 108,000.
If “medical” marijuana is about treating illnesses and helping sick people, then why are people buying more and more marijuana?
Why has “medical” marijuana use increased so much in the past few years?
And why would “medical” marijuana sales spike on a day that’s purely dedicated to getting high?
Back in 2016, Family Council said that “medical” marijuana would legalize a form of recreational marijuana in Arkansas. The numbers seem to show that may be what’s happening.
New scientific research shows that marijuana is not medicine. A recent study found nearly one in three “medical” marijuana users developed cannabis use disorder — meaning they became dependent or addicted.
Researchers now say marijuana doubles a person’s risk of death from heart disease.
High-potency marijuana can trigger serious mental health problems. Even “casual” marijuana use is considered dangerous.
And contrary to popular belief, legalization in other states has actually emboldened drug cartels and increased the flow of illegal marijuana across the country.
All of this underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
Revisiting Medical Marijuana’s False Promises
Research continues to shatter the myth that marijuana is effective medicine.
A major study published last month in the prestigious Cochrane Library found “no clear evidence” that medical marijuana helps with pain relief.
The review analyzed 21 high-quality clinical studies involving nearly 2,200 participants and found that THC-dominant medicines, CBD-dominant medicines, and balanced THC/CBD medicines all failed to provide meaningful pain relief compared to a placebo.
This research contradicts years of claims by groups who have promoted “medical” marijuana in Arkansas and elsewhere around the country.
Today’s marijuana is not the same drug from decades past — and it certainly is not “medicine.” Modern marijuana products are far more potent and more dangerous. High-potency marijuana can trigger serious mental health problems.
From deadly heart disease and cancer to stroke, mental illness, and birth defects, marijuana has been found time and time again to be dangerous.
Arkansans should be skeptical of any effort to expand so-called “medical” marijuana in our state.
Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.