By The Arkadelphian

CADDO VALLEY — Local medical marijuana sales rose by two pounds for the first two months of 2022, according to the state’s Department of Finance and Administration.

Enlightened Cannabis for People, which opened in July 2020 as one of the state’s 40 allowed dispensaries, sold 22.19 pounds of medical marijuana in February. That figure is up from the 19.06 pounds the Caddo Valley establishment sold in January.

A total of 3,658 pounds were purchased in Arkansas in February; medical marijuana patients spent $21.1 million last month. The top sales from February happened at Sherwood’s Natural Relief Dispensary, at 372 pounds.

In 2021, Enlightened contributed to 227 pounds of the total 40,347 pounds sold in Arkansas, according to information from DFA.

Medical marijuana patients spent $21.1 million in February at the state’s 37 dispensaries to obtain 3,658 pounds. Sales for the first two months of 2022 total $41.69 million and 7,389 pounds.

Overall, patients have purchased approximately 80,000 pounds since the first dispensary opened in May 2019, DFA said. 

State tax collection on medical marijuana totaled $2.33 million in February, a decrease from January collection of $2.84 million. The largest month for collection was May 2021 at $3.28 million. Overall, the state has collected $62.52 million from the medical marijuana industry since mid-2019. This includes collection from the regular state sales tax of 6.5% along with the 4.0% privilege tax. Both taxes apply to every patient purchase while only the 4.0% tax applies to sales from cultivators to dispensaries. 

The Arkansas Department of Health reports 82,410 active patient cards. Patients may purchase a total of 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana every 14 days, with sales tracked via patient cards and a statewide database. Each plant is also tracked by the state’s “seed to sale” software.

Regionally, northwest Arkansas sees the strongest sales month to month. This includes dispensaries in Bentonville and Fayetteville.