Medical cannabis sales in Arkansas reached a new high in 2025. According to data released by the state finance department, patients spent $291.1 million at licensed dispensaries during the year. That total represents a 5.5% increase from 2024 and surpasses the prior record of $283 million achieved in 2023.
Medical dispensaries across Arkansas sold 79,223 pounds of medical cannabis in 2025, an increase of 4.8% from the 75,597 pounds sold in 2024. The state has 37 licensed dispensaries operating statewide.
Since Arkansas launched its medical cannabis program in 2019, total spending at dispensaries has exceeded $1.6 billion, according to DFA spokesperson Scott Hardin.
December proved to be the strongest month of the year, with sales reaching $25.749 million. Several dispensaries stood out for the amount of product sold that month. Suite 443 in Hot Springs led the state with 731.15 pounds sold, followed closely by Natural Relief in Sherwood at 717.83 pounds. CROP in Jonesboro recorded sales of 427.5 pounds, while Custom Cannabis in Alexander and Harvest in Conway sold 411.03 pounds and 410.85 pounds, respectively.
Tax collections tied to medical marijuana also rose alongside sales. Two separate state taxes generated a combined $32.3 million. Since 2019, these taxes have brought in over $218.32 million. Patients pay the standard 6.5 percent state sales tax on each dispensary purchase. In addition, a 4 percent privilege tax applies both to retail sales and to transactions when cultivators sell products to dispensaries.
The state health department also reported growth in the patient base. There were 115,113 medical cannabis cards by December 2025, reflecting a 5.1% increase from February 2025 and an 18.2% rise compared with the start of 2024. The expanding number of qualified patients has helped support steady demand across the state.
Suite 443 opened its doors in May 2019, becoming the first licensed medical marijuana retailer to operate in Arkansas.
Annual sales have climbed steadily since the program began, aside from minor fluctuations. Spending totaled $31.32 million in 2019, rose to $181.8 million in 2020, and continued upward to $264.9 million in 2021 and $276.3 million in 2022 before reaching record territory in subsequent years.
Arkansas voters approved medical cannabis in 2016, passing a constitutional amendment by 53%. The measure legalized cannabis for patients with one or more of 17 qualifying medical conditions and established the framework for state oversight. Much of the tax revenue generated by the program is directed to the University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences National Cancer Designation Trust Fund, though some collections, such as cultivator privilege taxes, are not directly tied to retail sales or consumer prices.
The success being witnessed in Arkansas is welcome to the entire marijuana industry in and outside the country, including firms like Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: OTCQX: GTBIF).
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