LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) — The number of people signing up for medical marijuana is growing by the hundreds each month, so far, close to 3,000 people have been certified.
Dr. Archie Hearn, family doctor at Hearn Clinic, is one of 17 doctors in the state that signs medical marijuana applications.
“I get five to six inquiries a day and I see about five to six people a week to certify,” he said.
A majority of his medical marijuana patients are over 50 years old.
“I see professional people, veterans with post back stress syndrome, people with cancer, Tourette’s, nausea, hepatitis, seizures and serious arthritis,” he said.
Most of his medical marijuana patents drive in to see him from out of town.
“I've had some people come from Mountain Home and Ward because they say their doctors won't sign,” he said.
Dr. Hearn feels other doctors should consider signing for medical marijuana.
“If the patient thinks that that medicinal marijuana helps them then they should allow them to engage in the use of it,” he said.
He said the more doctors that sign people up means more revenue for the business side of the industry.
“There's a critical number, there has to be at least 40,000 to 50,000 certified and licensed patients for the dispensaries to make a living,” he said.
Feb. 28, the medical marijuana commission will announce who will run the cultivation facilities around the state.