Arkansas elections are almost here!

Arkansas is one of only 19 states that still jails people for possession of small amounts of cannabis. It is undecided as to what will happen to the state’s limited consumable hemp market when federal regulations change in December 2026. 

Possession of even a single joint (or up to four ounces) remains a Class A misdemeanor offense, punishable with up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $2500, and an automatic suspension of your driver's license for six months — even though more than half of Americans live in legalization states. Last year, Arkansas arrested 5,007 individuals for possession of cannabis.

This fall, voters will have an opportunity to decide who represents them in the state capitol. While MPP did not have the bandwidth to survey candidates for the state legislature, we were able to highlight the three top-polling gubernatorial candidates' policy stances on cannabis. Fred Love (D) has stated that even though he is opposed to legalization, if voters approved it, he would honor their wishes. Libertarian Colt Shelby also would support the decision of voters on legalization.  

Current Governor Sarah Huckabee-Sanders (R) has repeatedly stated she opposes the legalization of cannabis. In 2024, the governor replaced several Supreme Court Justices as the court was reviewing a ballot initiative that would have allowed medical cannabis patients the right to home-grow cannabis. In 2026, she vetoed a bill to allow medical cannabis patients to have their cannabis delivered to their home or be picked up through a drive-through window at dispensaries.