Medical marijuana expo returns

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 CBD 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 Nolan, owner of River Valley Relief Cultivation; Alan Leveritt, publisher of the Arkansas Times; and Dr. Joe Thompson, president and CEO 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. 

The second day of the event, called Patient Day, will feature DeBin; Armstrong; cannabis expert Dr. Brian Nichol; and a panel discussion that will address topics such as qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card, the uses of cannabinoids, the state of medical cannabis and common questions generally associated with medical marijuana. 

The second day of the event will also include breakout sessions on a wide range of topics, including:

Cannabis 101

Cooking with Cannabis 

Medications and Cannabis 

Medical Marijuana products, devices and their     best uses

Terpenes? What are they? 

Our animals and CBD

Mental Health and Cannabis

The expo will also have a breakout session and lectures on mental health and cannabis, sponsored by Face2Face Therapy. Angela Campagna, a veteran and licensed therapist at Face2Face in Conway, specializes in working with veterans, post traumatic stress disorder and mental health issues.  

On Saturday, ticketed attendees can receive a voucher for half-off a new patient certification with one of the partner physicians at the new patient voucher registration booth. 

For more information on the expo or to purchase tickets, go to centralarkansastickets.com.