Arkansas is a limited license state and caps the number of licensed dispensaries at 40. Municipalities are not permitted to prohibit the operation of dispensaries or cultivation facilities in their jurisdiction unless it is approved through an election (  under Article 5, § 1, of Arkansas constitution.)

Arkansas distributes medical cannabis licenses through a merit system.

Arkansas’ medical framework disqualifies applicants for cannabis licensure on the basis of certain convictions. A license will not be granted to an individual convicted of a felony offense (unless the felony has been sealed or pardoned or is a controlled substance offense older than 10 years old).

Arkansas’ medical use sector has restrictions disqualifying potential employees with certain convictions. Any employee, supervisor, or agent of a dispensary, and any volunteer of a dispensary must have a current Registry Identification. The Division shall not issue a registry identification card to any person who has been convicted of an excluded felony offense. Excluded felonies include violations of controlled-substance laws within the last 10 years. This exclusion does not apply to felonies which have been sealed or pardoned.

Yes. Expungements are available, but they are not automatic. Individuals with no more than one prior conviction may petition to seal a record of a conviction after five years so long as they did not spend any portion of their sentence in state prison. Convictions of possession with intent to distribute cannabis are eligible for relief (if no prison sentence). The statute granting relief is not specific to cannabis.