Arkansans reach a new high score on medical cards

Elena Ramirez
·1 min read

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Arkansas Department of Health has updated the number of active medical marijuana identification cards to more than 100,000.

“Since the first dispensary opened in 2019, we have seen a steady increase in the number of patients,” Robert deBin, president of the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association, said. “The increase may be attributed to more knowledge about the benefits of medical marijuana and prospective patients learning more about the process to obtain a card via patient advocates and industry leaders who have led education efforts.”

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016 has helped 102,222 Arkansans have accessible medical treatment in different forms of THC.

Read potential changes to Arkansas’ medical marijuana law

Currently, advocates for medical marijuana are gathering signatures for the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2024, a potential ballot measure for the November election. If voted into law, the amendment will expand who is considered a “health care practitioner” and allow for telemedicine and other qualified medical professionals to allow medical marijuana IDs. It will also let patients grow marijuana and extend patient card validity from one year to three among other changes.

“There are many Arkansans who could benefit from medical marijuana but are unable to access it because of cost, inability to find a certifying physician, or because they don’t fall into one of the very few qualified conditions imposed by the state,” Ashley Ewald, a Fayetteville resident and patient advocate, said. “This amendment will break down the barriers to care and ensure that everyone who can benefit from this medicine has the opportunity to do so without unnecessary hurdles.”

Arkansans for Patient Access, the amendment ballot committee, will need to collect 90,704 by July 5 for the amendment to be considered by voters on the November ballot.

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