By The Arkadelphian

CADDO VALLEY — Local medical marijuana sales took a slight dip in March, 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 21.6 pounds of medical marijuana in March. That number is down from the 22.19 pounds the Caddo Valley establishment sold in February.

A total of 4,166 pounds were purchased in Arkansas in March; medical marijuana patients spent $24.1 million last month. The top sales from March happened at Sherwood’s Natural Relief Dispensary, at 419 pounds.

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

Sales for the first three months of 2022 total $65.82 million and 11,555 pounds.

Overall, patients have purchased approximately 84,000 pounds since the first dispensary opened in May 2019, DFA said. 

State tax collection on medical marijuana totaled $2.46 million in March. Overall, the state has collected $65 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 81,901 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.