OKLAHOMA INVITES ARKANSAS PATIENTS - Arkansas voters approved a state medical marijuana program in November 2016 but it has yet to dispense medical marijuana to the more than 7,000 patients approved to receive the drug. However, neighboring state Oklahoma had its medical marijuana approved by voters last June and has opened dispensaries New Year’s Day AND is offering to let qualified people apply for temporary licenses to receive the drug there. But Arkansans approved to receive medical cannabis would first need a user ID card from the Arkansas Department of Health, and so far those haven’t been provided. Connie Melton, department branch chief for Arkansas health systems, licensing and certification told Arkansas Public Radio KUAR- the Oklahoma program may prompt Arkansas to issue the cards soon.
"Approved patients have called and requested that their card be made available so that they can take advantage of the Oklahoma visiting patient opportunity," explained Melton."And so pending the outcome of the Marijuana Commission meeting next week and the scoring of the dispensaries, the agency anticipates issuing Arkansas Medical Marijuana Registry ID cards within the next 30 days."
One hitch is that language in the Arkansas constitutional amendment requires patients to buy the drug in the state. A temporary license from Oklahoma would be good for 30 days and the applicant would have to pay a $100 fee.
