Arkansas Medical Cannabis Sales Surge Past $121M Through May, Poised to Break Annual Record Set in 2023

With over $121 million in medical marijuana (MMJ) products sold by the end of May 2025, Arkansas is on pace to eclipse its 2023 full-year record of $283 million in cannabis sales, according to new figures released by the state’s Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).

Sales Outpacing 2024 by More Than $7 Million as Demand Accelerates

As reported by Fayetteville-based KNWA, Arkansas dispensaries generated $121,024,696 in MMJ sales from January through May, roughly $7.2 million more than the same period in 2024. The data underscores the continued upward momentum of the state’s medical cannabis market, buoyed by increased patient participation and product volume.

Dispensaries Move Over 32,000 Pounds in First Five Months of 2025

The increase in revenue is supported by a significant spike in product volume. Arkansas dispensaries sold 32,474 pounds of cannabis in the first five months of 2025—an uptick from approximately 30,000 pounds during the same timeframe last year.

Patient Card Enrollment Rises Nearly 13%, Expanding Market Reach

The state’s growing base of medical marijuana patients is further contributing to sales growth. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, the number of active MMJ patient cards has increased by 12.8%, reaching 109,854 as of May, compared with 97,374 at the beginning of 2024.

Daily Medical Cannabis Sales Average $806K, Projecting Record-Breaking Year

DFA spokesperson Scott Hardin emphasized the scale of the ongoing sales boom:

“With daily medical marijuana sales averaging $806,000, we are on track to surpass the 2023 sales record of $283 million,” Hardin said in a statement.

If this trend continues through the remainder of 2025, Arkansas is positioned to set a new high-water mark for MMJ sales in the state.

Regulatory Setbacks: Governor’s Veto Halts Dispensary Expansion Measures

Despite the positive sales trajectory, Arkansas’ MMJ industry faced legislative headwinds in April. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders vetoed a bill that would have introduced several operational reforms to the state’s MMJ framework, including:

• Legalization of drive-thru dispensary windows
  
• Relaxation of transport staffing rules, reducing required vehicle staff from two to one
  
• Approval for dispensary tours, enhancing consumer transparency
  

The veto disappointed many industry advocates who viewed the legislation as a step toward modernizing Arkansas’ medical marijuana infrastructure.

Strong Market Fundamentals Suggest Continued Growth, Despite Legislative Roadblocks

Arkansas’ medical cannabis industry is clearly thriving, driven by increasing patient demand and robust dispensary performance. While regulatory reforms remain a work in progress, 2025 is shaping up to be a record-setting year for the Natural State’s MMJ market.