Booze and marijuana have been shelter-at-home staples since the coronavirus pandemic swept America, according to nationwide sales figures, and now Arkansas’ medical cannabis system is adapting to social distancing.
Also, the last two of five cannabis cultivation centers licensed in Arkansas are fully in production: Natural State Wellness Enterprises and Delta Medical Cannabis Co., both in Newport.
The state has eliminated — for now — the expiration dates on patients’ cannabis cards, some of which are coming due for yearly renewal.
And the Arkansas Department of Health recently approved physicians’ requests to be allowed to certify qualifying conditions through a “telehealth” visit as opposed to physically seeing the doctor.
“The qualifying paperwork must still be submitted to the Department of Health in order to obtain a card,” state spokesman Scott Hardin told Whispers. “Additionally, patient cards will not expire during this public health emergency.”
The virus has also altered plans for two meetings of the Medical Marijuana Commission, set for May 6 and May 27, as it reviews yearly renewal applications for dispensary licenses. The venue is usually the conference room at the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division headquarters near the state Capitol, but the meetings instead may take place via Zoom. Details will be announced soon, Hardin said.
“There are currently 21 dispensaries open for business and 12 that have yet to serve patients. The five cultivators are all in operation,” he added.
Total sales at all dispensaries recently surpassed 10,000 pounds.
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