Arkansas Cannabis Compliance & Licensing
Informational summary of public regulatory information — not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the state regulator before acting.
Arkansas voters approved the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment (Issue 6) in 2016, and dispensary sales began in 2019. The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission awards cultivation and dispensary licenses, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division handles regulation and enforcement, and the Department of Health manages patient registrations. An adult-use ballot measure (Issue 4) failed in 2022, so the market remains medical-only with a capped number of licenses. That limited license count makes Arkansas a concentrated market where ancillary vendors compete to serve a small set of operators.
Market & regulatory snapshot
| License data | This state's registry ships in an upcoming coverage wave — claim your listing to be notified when it lands. |
|---|---|
| Legal since | Medical only: 2016 (Issue 6); sales 2019 |
| Primary regulator | Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission / ABC Division, Arkansas DFA Source: state regulator · as of 2026-01 |
| Legal status | Medical only: 2016 (Issue 6); sales 2019 Source: state statute · as of 2026-01 |
| Track-and-trace system | BioTrackTHC Source: Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission / ABC Division, Arkansas DFA · as of 2026-01 |
Frequently asked questions
Is recreational marijuana legal in Arkansas?
No. Arkansas has a medical-only program approved by voters in 2016 (Issue 6), and a 2022 adult-use measure (Issue 4) was rejected; only registered patients with qualifying conditions may buy from licensed dispensaries.
No. Arkansas has a medical-only program approved by voters in 2016 (Issue 6), and a 2022 adult-use measure (Issue 4) was rejected; only registered patients with qualifying conditions may buy from licensed dispensaries.