How To Open a Dispensary In Arkansas

Arkansas Marijuana Laws

As of November 2016, state law allows qualifying patients suffering from serious illnesses to use medical marijuana with a doctor’s approval. It also establishes licenses for state cultivation facilities and dispensaries. The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission (AMMC) within the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division oversees the state’s new medical marijuana program.

License Types

• Cultivation License:A cultivation license allows for the cultivation, preparation, manufacturing, processing, packaging, sales and delivery of marijuana to licensed dispensaries. – A maximum of 8 cultivation licenses to be issued in each public health district. – Cultivation real estate must be not less than 3,000 feet from any school, church or daycare center. – No more than 1 license shall be issued to any entity. – The application fee has been set at $15,000. – Applicants shall provide proof of assets or a surety bond in the amount of $200,000.00 and proof of at least $100,000.00 in liquid assets
• Dispensary License:A dispensary license allows the business to acquire, possess, manufacture, process, prepare, deliver, transfer, transport, supply and dispense medical marijuana to qualifying patients and caregivers. – with a maximum of 40 dispensary licenses awarded within the “8 dispensary zones” – Dispensary location may not be any less than 1,500 feet from a school, church or daycare center. – No more than 1 license shall be issued to any entity. – The application fee for dispensary licenses is set at $7,500. – Applicants shall provide proof of assets or a surety bond in the amount of $200,000.00 and proof of at least $100,000.00 in liquid assets.
• Processor License:Allows an entity to acquire, possess, manufacture, process, prepare, deliver, transport, and supply marijuana to a licensed dispensary or cultivation facility – Regulations do not limit the number of processor licenses to be issued in the state. – The application fee has been set at $5,000. – Applicants shall submit a performance bond in the amount of $100,000.00. The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission began accepting applications for additional medical marijuana processors on January 7, 2021 with no deadline for submission. Application forms are available on the commission’s website.
• Transporter License:Allows an entity to acquire, possess, deliver, transfer, transport, or distribute marijuana to a licensed dispensary, cultivation facility, or processor. – Regulations do not limit the number of transporter licenses to be issued in the state. – The application fee has been set at $5,000. – Applicants shall submit a performance bond in the amount of $100,000.00.

Hemp Cultivation

Industrial Hemp Research Program applications open through May 1, 2020. Grower and Processor applications for FY2020 will be released at a later time. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has licensed 80 hemp farmers to grow on more than 1,898 acres in 42 counties. It has issued 18 processor licenses to extract CBD from the plants.

Arkansas Marijuana History

On Nov. 8, 2016, Arkansas voters approved the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment (AMMA), legalizing medical cannabis use. As of February 2020, thirty-two dispensary licenses have been approved.