I’ve been watching Ozark, so now, I like to act like I know all about each state that meets there. Arkansas is one that I always remember because I always thought that the name Razorbacks had something to do with the wrestler Razor Ramon aka Scott Hall. But now, I have grown even more curious to see what the state thinks about delta-8 THC. Little Rock has been said to be among the most progressive cities in the country, but a city doesn’t necessarily mean that the state’s leaders necessarily feel the same way. There are quite the limitations that aren’t surprising given the state’s history with schedule I drugs.
While Federal Farm Bill is federal law, some states may have their adjustments; some favor the majority within the state. Arkansas is one of those states. Any hemp-derived cannabinoid with less than 0.3% THC is legal at the federal level. Hemp and CBD are permitted in the state of Arkansas. But that didn’t stop them from inserting laws that put some restrictions into place, especially on THC or tetrahydrocannabinol.
Since Arkansas law currently prohibits the sale of Delta 8 THC in the state, the purchase can be risky. Arkansas has a cannabis program whereby hemp or CBD products are free to sell and buy.
On the surface, Arkansas’s federal and state laws do not seem to be much different; however, you will notice some changes if you look closely. In short, federal law stipulates that cannabis plants with a THC content of less than 0.3%, including all cannabinoids that can be obtained from the plant, are legal. This means that if delta 8 THC contains acceptable THC levels, it must be legal. However, Arkansas has made it clear that it is illegal even if the cannabinoid content is less than 0.3%.
So there is no need for a medical card because delta-9 THC is legal, nor is it recreational. To further the process out of medicinal needs, you have to contact the state public health department. From there, you can begin the processes and evaluations to provide you with relief from your day-to-day pain. What is different with Arkansas is that they were prepped for hemp and CBD but not delta-8 THC because it is considered synthetic. All of this is detailed in Arkansas Industrial Hemp Act 2-15-401.
To further clarify this point, the State of Arkansas treats all THC formulations, formulas, or extracts, even those derived from cannabis, as Schedule VI controlled substances. This is the same protocol that all of the other states had before removing delta-8 THC from being a schedule I drug. However, Arkansas remains frozen in time at this moment—hopefully thawing to the point where they can catch up with the program, guiding themselves into the new age of legalization and alternate cannabinoids so that we could all get along.