Medical marijuana sales in Arkansas reached $275.9 million in 2024, with December contributing $24 million to the total.

According to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, the state’s 37 dispensaries sold 75,598 pounds of medical marijuana throughout the year, marking a significant increase from the 62,227 pounds sold in 2023. However, despite higher product sales, total revenue fell short of the record $283 million set in the previous year, largely due to lower prices.

In December alone, patients purchased 6,721 pounds of medical marijuana, maintaining a consistent monthly sales trend seen throughout the year. November also saw $24 million in sales, with 6,759 pounds sold. The Hot Springs dispensary Suite 443 led in sales for the month, surpassing 746 pounds.
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Legislation to allow qualifying patients and designated caregivers to purchase medical marijuana using a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA) has been filed in the Arkansas Legislature.

(Photo credit: IStockphoto).

House Bill 1408 was filed today by State Representatives Aaron Pilkington (R) and Joshua Bryant (R). The measure would amend state law to explicitly permit the use of these accounts for medical marijuana purchases under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016 (Amendment 98).

The bill defines an FSA as a medical expense account established within an employer-sponsored cafeteria plan and an HSA as a tax-advantaged account linked to a high-deductible health plan, consistent with federal tax law.
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Today, lawmakers in the Senate addressed the financial struggles of marijuana businesses, with bipartisan remarks underscoring the industry’s banking challenges and a need for reform.

While some senators framed the issue within a broader federal policy discussion, others focused on the immediate need for financial access.

During the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs hearing, Chairman Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) repeatedly insisted the discussion should focus on financial barriers for “federally legal” businesses. Despite this, several members from both parties raised concerns about the challenges faced by state-licensed marijuana businesses.
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There was more than $176 million in legal marijuana sold in Illinois in December, bringing the total for 2024 to $2 billion.

Data released today by the Illinois Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer shows that there was $153.2 million in recreational marijuana sold in December. When you combine this with the $23.5 million in medical marijuana sales, December’s total rises to a record-breaking $176.7 million, breaking the previous record of $172 million set in November.

Of the $176 million in marijuana sold in November, $120.8 million was purchased by those living in Illinois, with $32.5 million purchased by those living outside of the state.
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In California, there was $327 million in licensed marijuana sales in January.

These sales mark a slight decrease from the $332 million sold in December, and the roughly $340 million sold in January 2024. In 2024, sales reached $4.2 billion.

According to the research firm Headset, dried marijuana flower remained the top-selling category in January, accounting for 31% of sales, followed by vape pens, prerolls, edibles, and concentrates.
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Congressmember Greg Steube (R-Florida) has introduced the first marijuana-related bill of the 119th Congress, a measure to safeguard military veterans who use medical marijuana in compliance with state laws from losing their federal benefits.

The proposed legislation, titled the Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act, would also ensure that doctors within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can openly discuss the potential benefits and risks of marijuana with their patients. While VA physicians are currently allowed to have these conversations and document marijuana use in medical records, this policy is not enshrined in federal law. Steube’s bill would solidify these protections, preventing future administrative reversals.

This marks yet another attempt by Steube to pass this reform, as he has introduced identical legislation in previous congressional sessions.
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The city council for Lockhart, a Texas city with a population of around 15,000, has voted to overturn a voter-approved ordinance that would have decriminalized marijuana possession.

In November, voters in Lockhart approved an ordinance to decriminalize marijuana with 68% support. The proposal would have prevented arrests and criminal charges for possessing up to four ounces of marijuana. Instead, individuals caught with small amounts would have faced a civil infraction similar to a traffic ticket.

Yesterday, the Lockhart City Council voted to reject the marijuana ordinance, effectively preventing it from becoming law. The city council for Bastrop, Texas, made a similar move last week.
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Aurora Cannabis Inc., a leading Canadian-based global medical cannabis company, has reported its financial and operational results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025, ending December 31, 2024.

The company achieved “record-breaking” figures in several key areas, underscoring its strong position in the global cannabis industry.
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Hawaii House Bill 1246 has advanced through two key House committees, marking a significant step toward potential marijuana legalization in the state.

The bill was approved by the House Committee on Judiciary with a 6 to 4 vote and unanimously passed by the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems with a 5 to 0 vote.

The proposed bill would establish a comprehensive regulatory framework, allowing those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and five grams of concentrates, while also allowing them to cultivate marijuana for personal use. The bill would consolidate oversight of marijuana and hemp under a newly created Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
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