CANNABIZ
BRIAN CHILSON
MARIJUANA EXPO RETURNS
AND INDUSTRY-BACKED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT MOVES AHEAD. BY GRIFFIN COOP
86 FEBRUARY 2022
ARKANSAS TIMES
BRIAN CHILSON
A
rkansas medical marijuana patients kept cannabis in high demand over the past three years. This month, those patients will have a chance to interact with many of the dispensaries and cultivators behind the state’s cannabis supply. The Medical Marijuana and Wellness Expo will bring together patients, cannabis businesses, regulators, lawyers and doctors to discuss a wide range of cannabis topics Feb. 18-19 at the Albert Pike Masonic Center at 712 Scott St. The event is presented by the Arkansas Times and the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association. Since 2019, Arkansas medical marijuana patients have fueled a growing industry that sold nearly 76,000 pounds of marijuana, with sales eclipsing $500 million in just 32 months. Last year, the state’s dispensaries sold 40,347 pounds of marijuana for a total of $264.9 million, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. There are more than 79,810 active patient cards in the state, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. The Medical Marijuana and Wellness Expo will feature former state Rep. Eddie Armstrong of Responsible Growth Arkansas, an organization that advocates for adult-use cannabis in Arkansas. In addition to Armstrong, participants on the first day of the expo, called Industry Day, include Robert DeBin, president of the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association; Doralee Chandler, director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division; Storm Noland, owner of River Valley Relief Cultivation; Alan Leveritt, publisher of the Arkansas Times; and Dr. Joe Thompson, executive director of Arkansas Center for Health Improvement. Attendees on the first day can expect to learn about the cannabis industry, with updates on regulations and legislation, compliance and advertising. Budtenders will receive free entry on the first day of the event.
SERIOUS BUSINESS: (Top) Elizabeth Michael and Martin Thoma spoke at last year’s Medical Marijuana and Wellness Expo. (Bottom) Patients and providers learn about new medical marijuana products and devices on the expo floor.
