Arkansas’ medical marijuana program has continued its gradual expansion, with data released today by the state’s Department of Health showing 114,349 registered patients as of January 3, 2026.
The updated total reflects an increase of just over 1,000 patients since mid-December, when enrollment stood at 113,265. Compared with the same period a year earlier, the program has added several thousand new patients, continuing a long-running trend of steady growth rather than sharp spikes.
Arkansas’ medical marijuana system was established after voters approved the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment, also known as Issue 6, in November 2016. The measure allows patients with qualifying conditions to access medical marijuana with a physician’s recommendation. Retail sales began in May 2019, when the state’s first dispensary opened in Hot Springs, formally launching the regulated market.
Although Arkansas maintains a more limited number of licensed cultivators and dispensaries than many larger medical marijuana states, patient participation has increased consistently. Enrollment gains have been incremental but reliable, suggesting sustained demand for medical marijuana as a treatment option across a range of conditions.
Sales data from 2025 further illustrates the program’s scale. Medical marijuana patients in Arkansas purchased more than $250 million worth of marijuana products over the course of the year, according to state figures, underscoring the program’s continued economic footprint.
Now more than six years into retail operations, Arkansas’ medical marijuana program appears firmly entrenched. With patient registrations climbing into early 2026 and sales remaining robust, the program continues to show signs of long-term stability and ongoing reliance by patients statewide.
More articles from The Marijuana Herald:
