Medical Marijuana

Today on The Outline: Arkansas lawmakers react to the possibility of a special session before year's end. Also, stroke risk increases in America. Plus, the Razorbacks plan to play early to avoid humidity this weekend.

About 77,000 Arkansans were removed from Medicaid rolls in June, applications are open for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, medical marijuana sales reached a record $141 million of the year and more.

On today's show, tax revenue from medical marijuana used to be allocated for cancer research. Now, it will go toward medical residency programs and food insecurity. Also, a new episode of "I Am Northwest Arkansas" centers on ballet, and a new voting rights exhibition at the Arkansas Capitol. Plus, residents of north central get $7.4 million from USDA for a water infrastructure project and more.

The Arkansas Legislature voted to redirect tax revenue from medical marijuana sales, and send $100 million in reserve funds to UAMS to pursue national cancer designation.

Recreational marijuana is now legal to purchase in Missouri by adults age 21 and over, living in-state or out-of-state, with just a valid government-issue photo ID. Several hundred dispensaries recently licensed by the state to sell adult-use cannabis like Flora Farms, with locations across southwest Missouri, report being patronized by a growing number of Arkansans, who are unable to purchase legal pot back home. But transporting purchases back across state lines remains a federal felony offense.

Home sales are beginning to cool in the Arkansas River Valley, but construction activity remains on a record pace.

A significant portion of tax revenue collected from medical marijuana sales in Arkansas is granted each year to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in Little Rock. The tax funding is being spent on facilities expansion, research and development, and hiring new key staff in a quest to be certified as a National Cancer Institute — the first in Arkansas.

The third annual Arkansas Medical Marijuana and CBD Wellness Expo was staged over the weekend at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Friday was an industry event for owners and operators of cannabis dispensaries, cultivation and processing facilities, legal and security firms, medical clinics and political interest groups. Saturday was open to the general public.

A state-wide citizens' petition initiative to place an Arkansas constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana for adults on the November ballot is well underway. The “Responsible Growth Arkansas” campaign ends July 8th.

A state-wide citizens' petition initiative to place an Arkansas constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana for adults on the November ballot is well underway. The “Responsible Growth Arkansas” campaign ends July 8th.