As the application deadline for Arkansas medical cannabis cultivators and distributors draws near, the state Department of Finance and Administration has not yet received any applications from potential operators, the Associated Press reports. However, Scott Hardin, spokesman for the department, said the agency is “not concerned” understanding the applications “require detailed and specific information that will take time to complete.”
“Applicants are likely performing their due diligence to provide quality applications,” he said in the report, adding that officials expect applications to be submitted closer to the Sept. 18 deadline.
The Finance and Administration Department expects to award five cultivation and 32 dispensary licenses.
According to Department of Health spokeswoman Katie White, the state has so far approved 404 medical cannabis patient applications. Director of Health Communications Marisha DiCarlo indicated that the agency has anticipated receiving about 30,000 patient applications. The ID cards cost $50 and must be renewed annually.
“This number was based on population, types of qualifying conditions, and trends in other states,” DiCarlo said in the report. “At this time, it is too early in the process to know if that number will be reached, since usable, legally obtained Arkansas marijuana is not yet available in the state.”
The state’s voter-approved medical cannabis law covers 18 qualifying conditions.
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