Arkansas Issue 2 medical marijuana expansion explained

This guide is general information, not legal advice. It was written on October 29, 2026, before the November 3, 2026 election. Check official sources for the latest rules.

Editor’s note: This post was drafted before Election Day. Check certified results from the Arkansas Secretary of State before relying on anything about the ballot.

If you searched for Arkansas Issue 2 and medical marijuana, you are not alone, but there is an important correction. Issue 2 on the November 3, 2026 Arkansas ballot is not a medical marijuana measure. According to the Arkansas Secretary of State, Issue 2 is SJR 11 of 2026, a proposed constitutional amendment about the right to bear arms. The medical marijuana expansion many people remember was Issue 3 in 2024, and the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that its votes would not be counted. This guide explains what Issue 2 actually is, what happened to the expansion effort, and how the current medical program works. For state basics on seeds and home growing, see our Arkansas marijuana seeds page. Kind Seed Co sells only to adults 21 and older.

What Issue 2 is in 2026

Issue 2 was referred to voters by the Arkansas General Assembly as Senate Joint Resolution 11 of 2026. According to the official ballot title published by the Secretary of State, it concerns the right of citizens to keep and bear arms. The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service voter guide summarizes it the same way and notes that, if approved, it would take effect on January 1, 2027. It does not change medical marijuana law.

We make no prediction about the outcome. Read the full ballot title on sos.arkansas.gov before you vote.

Why searchers connect Issue 2 with medical marijuana

Ballot numbers are reused every election. In 2016, voters approved Issue 6, which became Amendment 98 and created the Arkansas medical marijuana program. In 2022, an adult use amendment appeared as Issue 4. In 2024, the medical marijuana expansion was Issue 3. Search engines and old social posts mix these years together, so a search for an issue number can surface the wrong measure. Always check the year on any ballot article you read.

What happened to the 2024 expansion

The 2024 proposal, sponsored by Arkansans for Patient Access, would have expanded the medical program. Among other changes, it proposed broadening who could recommend cannabis, extending card terms and, according to summaries of the measure, allowing patients to grow at home. Supporters said it would make the program easier to use. Opponents raised concerns about expanding cannabis access.

Before Election Day in 2024, the Secretary of State and the Arkansas Supreme Court were asked to decide whether the petition met signature and disclosure requirements. In October 2024, the court ruled 4 to 3 that the measure was insufficient and that votes on Issue 3 would not be counted. The measure stayed printed on ballots, but the results had no legal effect.

Was there a 2026 petition?

Yes. A citizen group circulated a petition in 2026 aimed at medical marijuana and petition rules. It needed 90,704 valid signatures by July 3, 2026. It did not qualify for the ballot. That is why no medical marijuana question appears on the 2026 ballot.

There have also been reports about a December 2025 Arkansas Supreme Court decision on the legislature’s power to amend citizen initiated amendments by a two thirds vote, and about possible legislative review of the medical program in the 2027 session. Check official sources, because these developments could affect the program in 2027.

How the current program works

Amendment 98 remains the foundation of medical marijuana in Arkansas.

Steps to get a card in Arkansas

1. See a physician licensed in Arkansas who can certify a qualifying condition from the list in Amendment 98.
2. Apply online with the Arkansas Department of Health, including your physician certification and proof of Arkansas residency.
3. Pay the state application fee listed by the Department of Health.
4. Wait for approval, then use your card at licensed dispensaries.

Qualifying condition categories are listed in the amendment and on the Department of Health site. Listing a condition only means a patient may qualify for the program. It does not mean cannabis treats that condition.

What this means for home growers

Arkansas does not allow home cultivation under Amendment 98, for patients or adults. The 2024 proposal would have changed that, but its votes were not counted. Growing cannabis at home in Arkansas can lead to criminal penalties. Federal law also still treats marijuana as a controlled substance outside the narrow categories moved to Schedule III in 2026, and the federal hemp definition is scheduled to change on December 11, 2026. See our overview of legal requirements for growing weed plants in your state.

How to follow Arkansas developments

Rules can change quickly, especially if the legislature takes up the program in 2027. A few habits help you stay current.

• Check the Secretary of State’s election results page after November 3, 2026 for certified results on every measure
• Read the Arkansas Department of Health medical marijuana page before you apply or renew
• Watch the Medical Marijuana Commission’s meeting notices for changes to dispensary and cultivation rules
• Follow bills in the Arkansas General Assembly when the 2027 session opens
• Treat social media summaries of ballot issues with caution, and confirm the year and issue number

If you are a patient with questions about your own situation, a licensed Arkansas attorney or the Department of Health is the right place to ask.

Sources

• Arkansas Secretary of State, Issue No. 2, SJR 11 of 2026 ballot title, sos.arkansas.gov, accessed October 29, 2026
• University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, 2026 ballot issues guide, uaex.uada.edu, accessed October 29, 2026
• Arkansas Department of Health, medical marijuana program, healthy.arkansas.gov, accessed October 29, 2026
• Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 98, accessed October 29, 2026

The bottom line

Issue 2 in 2026 is about firearms, not medical marijuana. The expansion people remember was 2024’s Issue 3, and its votes were not counted. The existing program under Amendment 98 continues, without home growing. Watch for certified results after November 3 and any 2027 legislative action. For state basics, see our Arkansas page or the Kind Seed Co shop. Kind Seed Co sells only to adults 21 and older. Always follow the home grow laws where you live.