There's at least one part of the economy the COVID-19 pandemic apparently hasn't impacted all that much - medical marijuana.
According to the Arkansas state Medical Marijuana Commission, as of June 25 this year, patients had purchased nearly 16,000 pounds of the stuff with sales totaling $99.16 million in the first year dispensaries were in operation.
That works out to $500,000 per day in medical marijuana sales in the Natural State.
Sales totals vary widely across the state. The state's top retailer is Green Springs Medical in Hot Springs, which has sold 2,77.87 pounds of marijuana. But the dispensary opened May 12, 2020, so it's been around a while.
Here in Texarkana, two dispensaries opened in January of this year, several months after the first facility, Suite 443, opened in Hot Springs.
Red River Remedy on U.S. Highway 67 has sold 208.55 pounds of medical marijuana as of June 25. Bloom Medicinals on Realtor Ave. has sold 58.38 pounds, according to the commission.
The strong demand gives ammunition to those who are pushing for legal recreational marijuana in the state.
Two groups tried to get proposals to expand the availability of legal marijuana on the November 2020 ballot. However, the coronavirus shutdown and cancellation of many events like festivals and concerts made gathering required signatures difficult. So it looks like the effort will have to wait until the 2022 election.
So be prepared. One day you'll have to decide whether legal marijuana for purely recreational purposes is something you want for Arkansas.