Since Amendment 98 to the Arkansas State Constitution—the legalization of medical marijuana—was approved by voters in November 2016, potential users have been waiting for state to get the program up and running.

The amendment came with a lot of red tape. First there was the long and contentious process of licensing growers and dispensaries. Then, since the pot could not be brought across state lines, there was a wait while the first crop was ready. Now it looks like the state's first legal marijuana will appear on dispensary shelves by May 12. A few dispensary shelves, that is.

So far only one marijuana dispensary—Doctors Orders RX in Hot Springs—has passed required inspection by the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Enforcement agency. It and maybe one to four other dispensaries are expected to be ready by the time the crop is delivered. The rest—32 statewide eventually—still have a way to go before being allowed to open.

So even those residents approved to buy medical marijuana will still have a wait—unless they want to travel.

We expect many to be disappointed even if the product is delivered at a few places by May 12. Only one of the state's five growing facilities is ready for harvest. Two others have started growing and the other two haven't put a seed in the ground. So we doubt in those first few days there will be enough supply to meet demand.

So, once again, prospective patients will have to have patience.