LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas' medical marijuana industry will ramp up in the next week, with the state poised to accept applications from potential patients, growers and distributors.
Beginning Friday, the state Medical Marijuana Commission will accept applications from those hoping to grow or supply marijuana, while the Health Department will take applications from those hoping to benefit from the first marijuana-as-medicine program in the Bible Belt. The application periods will run until Sept. 18.
State officials expect anywhere from 20,000 to 40,000 people to seek permission to use the drug for a number of health problems. It will cost $50 to apply and permits must be renewed yearly.
Potential patients must submit written certification from a physician to obtain a registration card, demonstrating that the doctor has fully assessed the patient's medical history. The application must show that there's an established physician-patient relationship and that the patient has a certain qualifying medical condition.
All applicants must have a driver's license or state-issued ID card, and those under age 18 need the consent of a parent or guardian to apply.
Family Council president Jerry Cox, who opposed the medical marijuana plan, fears that some may try to "game" the system and obtain marijuana even if they don't have one of the 18 medical conditions listed in the law. The health issues include intractable pain, cancer, glaucoma, a positive HIV/AIDS status, hepatitis C, Tourette's syndrome, Crohn's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and severe nausea.