Medical marijuana sales in Arkansas are down nearly 4% this year compared to the same period in 2023.
Arkansas dispensaries have taken in a total of $158.5 million on 42,602 pounds of medical cannabis so far in 2024, according to Jonesboro TV station KAIT, citing data released by the state Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
From January to July last year, sales totaled $164.6 million.
Customers spent $22.9 million at the state’s 37 dispensaries in July to purchase 6,467 pounds of marijuana.
“Since the first dispensary opened in 2019, Arkansans have spent approximately $1.2 billion on medical marijuana purchases,” DFA spokesperson Scott Hardin said in a statement.
“Although the overall spend has decreased since last year, we continue to see pounds sold increase, indicating lower prices.”
Arkansas has experienced record-breaking sales every year since MMJ sales began in 2019.
According to the state health department, 105,544 MMJ patients have active cards.
Despite the program’s popularity, not everyone supports the program.
Arkansas chicken magnate Ronnie Cameron donated $116,500 in July to the Family Council Action Committee 2024.
That organization opposes constitutional amendments that would expand the state’s MMJ program and reestablish the right to abortion in Arkansas.
Cameron, the chair of chicken company Mountaire Farms, now has donated a total of $215,740 to Family Council Action Committee 2024, although it’s unclear which amendments he is targeting.
