Arkansas expects 20K to 40K medical cannabis applicants

Arkansas expects 20K to 40K medical cannabis applicants

Officials in one Deep South state are expecting a flood of medical cannabis applications.

Arkansas, which legalized medical cannabis by vote in November, is anticipating between 20,000 to 40,000 people will request permission to obtain cannabis for medicinal purposes.

Robert Brech, the state Health Department’s chief lawyer, is expecting the program to cost $1.5 million over the next year.

Applicants are required to pay $50 for their cards and must have a valid driver’s license or state ID. They may apply for a card if they suffer from cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS, Tourette’s syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, PTSD, severe arthritis, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s disease, or a chronic or debilitating medical condition that produces cachexia or wasting syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, intractable pain that has not responded to other treatment for at least six months, severe nausea, seizures, and severe or persistent muscle spasms.

Designated caregivers can enroll in the program to assist the physically disabled and minors under 18. Home cultivation is not permitted.