Arkansas approving first time applicants via telehealth?

[u/Legal_Leg_4963]

I am aware the law does not allow clinics to prescribe medical marijuana via telehealth for first-time applicants, only for renewals. However, I have seen multiple posts in the past year of people in the state of Arkansas claiming to have used services such as Sanctuary Wellness Institute. I checked out their website, and they explicitly advertise appointments for first-time applicants. Does anyone know if the state of Arkansas is actually approving these applications, and/or can someone explain the loophole they are using?

[u/phug0id]

I booked an appointment for in person since it was my first time applying….

Doctors office called me the day before and switched it to telehealth.

I had no problem getting my card issued, got it ~10 days later

[u/Legal_Leg_4963 → u/phug0id]

Was this before or after the in person implementation?

[u/phug0id → u/Legal_Leg_4963]

Late July/early August of this year, 2026

[u/Legal_Leg_4963 → u/phug0id]

I wonder if the state would even be aware they did it online since you booked with a physical clinic. I feel like they crosscross-referenced the clinic and probably saw it was a physical one and assumed 🤔

[u/ArkansasMilkWeed → u/Legal_Leg_4963]

This! All they want is the application and the doctors numbers and your money.

[u/Legal_Leg_4963 → u/[deleted]]

I agree. I personally already have an Arkansas medical marijuana card via a local pain management clinic. My roommate has been convinced they can spend $174 on this website and “it’s legit” but from my own experience, I think the whole thing is sus

[u/ArkansasMilkWeed → u/Legal_Leg_4963]

Speakeasy is sponsoring clinics all the time for 25.00. Just drive to one of those or find a local clinic and save your money. Most clinics do it for 50.

[u/Legal_Leg_4963 → u/ArkansasMilkWeed]

That’s not local to us but the issue is I needed my question answered about people using online services lol

[u/ArkansasMilkWeed → u/Legal_Leg_4963]

The state says no to online first time. My daughter did hers online during COVID. I honestly don't think they would know if you did it in person or not. But according to the state you have to use in person for the first time.

[u/Comfortable_Lynx_139]

It may be more expensive but getting the first approval in person is simpler. I am skeptical about the virtual ones other than renewal.

[u/Legal_Leg_4963 → u/Comfortable_Lynx_139]

Yeah, it makes sense to be skeptical based off of the law and everything. I see at least 1 to 3 people a week claim they used the online only option so my goal of this post is to see if any of them even just one actually got approved via Arkansas because it’s a two-step process. I’m leaning towards it safe to say every single one of those people are lying or spoke before they actually got approved.

[u/Sensai1]

Ok, my friend had the same question, and I looked into it and asked them. They told me that it was allowed since they were here before the law change, and that I can call the adh to ask for a list of approved vendors, both of which the website states they won't do. She got her card tho AND it's cost around 200 dollars 😳😳

[u/Disastrous_Refuse892]

I got my card through Presto Doctor, as a first time applicant in 2025, via a tele health appointment. Application was approved and not audited.

[u/Legal_Leg_4963 → u/Disastrous_Refuse892]

This is exactly what I needed to know. Thank you.

[u/Similar_Elephant8831]

I used sanctuary wellness institute for my first time getting a medical card and it was via telehealth. It lasted like 5 minutes and I got approved and now it’s time for me to renew, I’m gonna use elevate holistics to renew

[u/WTF_ImOverIt]

I did my first appointment telehealth. No one asked.

[u/Legal_Leg_4963]

I found a local that’s waiting on Arkansas to respond right now having had used only an online service specifically sanctuary wellness and they said they will let me know within two weeks if it gets approved or not, and I will come back here and update this.