Arkansas medical marijuana sales have topped $1 billion since voters approved the program in 2016, with 2025 purchases hitting a record $291.1 million, according to the state Department of Finance and Administration. The state's first dispensary opened in 2019. Legislation passed last year now directs medical marijuana tax revenue toward free breakfast for public school students.
Nationally, 24 states—including neighboring Missouri—allow recreational marijuana, per the National Conference of State Legislatures. Arkansas voters rejected a recreational legalization ballot measure in 2022 despite heavy spending by national advocacy groups. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice downgraded the federal classification of medical cannabis.
Against that backdrop, Arkansas's three gubernatorial candidates—Democratic state Sen. Fred Love, Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Libertarian Colt Shelby—outlined differing views on recreational legalization.
Love opposed it during a June debate at the Arkansas Press Association's annual convention, citing harmful effects he's witnessed in communities where marijuana is common, including near his daughter's school. "I just don't think that it is something that I can support," he said. "I have seen the long-term impact of it." Still, Love said he'd defer to voters if they approved it at the ballot box.
Shelby, who does not use marijuana, said he'd back legalization if Arkansans voted for it, arguing elected officials have lost sight of what residents want. "There's a lot of good things that it brings, so I'm not going to say I'm against it, but let the people decide," he said at the debate.
Sanders, who skipped the debate, said in an emailed statement that she opposes recreational legalization: "Giving more access to drugs—particularly recreational access—does nothing to help or benefit Arkansans." Last year she vetoed legislation that would have let dispensaries deliver orders via delivery vehicles or drive-through windows. In 2023 she signed a law protecting medical marijuana patients' and caregivers' rights to obtain concealed handgun carry licenses, and in 2025 she backed the measure directing medical marijuana tax revenue to fund free breakfast for all public school students.