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ALLISON, WE SPOKE WITH ONE OF THE CO-OWNERS OF GREEN SPRINGS MEDICAL JUST THIS MORNING and HE SAID THEY WOULD BE OPENING FOR THE FIRST TIME TOMORROW. WELL THEY GOT A SHIPMENT IN TODAY AND DECIDED TO OPEN THE DOORS LATE THIS AFTERNOON. (Bruce Simpson, Co- owner of Green Springs Medical ) "We were able to get one of our cash registers up and working and we looked out and a crowd had formed so what could we do but open up and help the people of Arkansas." A SPUR OF THE MOMENT SOFT OPENING is DRAWING IN MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS EARLIER THAN PLANNED. (Tisha Huckabee, Traveled from Black Rock) "I had a friend call me who knew I was waiting on medication for tomorrow and they told me hey, someone just posted on facebook and the dispensary is open. Go get your medicine, I know you're hurting." IN JUST 4 HOURS, GREEN SPRINGS MEDICAL DISPENSARY WAS ABLE TO SERVE 150 PATIENTS. WHILE THEY STILL PLAN TO HOLD A GRAND OPENING TOMORROW MORNING, THEY NO LONGER EXPECT A CROWD TO CAMP OUT. "Camping out was kind of like a star wars movie. Whose going to get the first ticket? They've already got it man so already over now it's just serve the people and take care of them." EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T ANTICIPATE PEOPLE CAMPING OUT, THEY DO THINK LINES COULD START FORMING AS EARLY AS 4 OR 5 IN THE MORNING. THEY SAY IF THE LOT IS FULL, THEY'LL OPEN EARLY AT 8 :30. LIVE IN HOT SPRINGS, JW 4029 NEWS. CLOSER TO HOME -

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Marijuana is being legally sold in Arkansas for the first time in 96 years this weekend.Doctor's Orders RX in Hot Springs was cleared by the ABC earlier this month. It sold medical marijuana to a patient Friday afternoon. People were allowed inside one at a time starting at about 9 a.m. Some people were in line before midnight. A dispensary spokesperson told those in line they may only be able to process five people an hour.The owner of Doctor's Orders RX, Don Sears, released this statement: Doctor's Orders RX has successfully resolved all software problems. As a result, we were able to sell medical marijuana to an Arkansan with a physician-issued medical marijuana card. The facility will be open tomorrow between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Patients will be served on a first-come, first-served basis; product availability is limited. We expect long lines and apologize for any inconvenience. However, at this time, processing schedules are unpredictable and out of our control. But we are thrilled to, finally, be able to provide Arkansans with the prescriptions they have waited more than two years to fill.Green Springs Medical in Hot Springs was given final approval from Arkansas' Alcoholic Beverage Control Friday, May 10.Follow this link to learn what you'll need to legally get medical marijuana in ArkansasThe business at 309 Seneca Street has told 40/29 News it plans to open on Monday, May 13, 2019 at 10 a.m. The business and ABC expect lines to form before the doors open.Patients must have their medical marijuana ID card in order to enter the store.A total of 11,739 patient cards had been issued as of May 10, 2019. By law, Arkansas patients can only buy 2.5 ounces of marijuana every 14 days. The store is placing an additional limit, saying customers can only purchase 0.5 ounces during the first week, due to supply. It estimates it will have enough marijuana for about 1,600 patients.Patients will not be allowed to use medical marijuana in public.Scott Hardin with the Arkansas Department of Finance Administration confirmed that when the first two dispensaries open in Hot Springs, they will not have edibles.Attorney General Leslie Rutledge says now is the time to reach out to your employer to determine if they have updated rules regarding medical marijuana.“Medical marijuana is essentially the same as any prescription and the impetus is on the individual employee to notify his or her supervisor of whether they would be prohibited from operating heavy equipment for example.”Marijuana was first legally planted in Arkansas in January.ABC enforcement agents will continue to conduct site visits at the dispensaries during regular business hours, similar to how they conduct checks of bars and restaurants.No additional inspections are scheduled yet at the 30 other licensed dispensaries, Scott Hardin, ABC spokesperson, said. Follow this link for a map of the potential dispensary sites in Arkansas.Arkansas first enacted legal restrictions on marijuana in 1923. In November 2016, state voters passed a law allowing marijuana for medical use under certain restrictions. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.Follow this link for a timeline of medical marijuana in Arkansas