No. Since April 22, 2026, Arkansas law treats any hemp product with total THC above 0% as an "intoxicating hemp product," and making, marketing or selling one is a felony. The only THC-containing hemp products still allowed are CBD-dominant items with no more than 1mg of THC per package. Here is how the ban works.
- Hemp THC drinks are banned in Arkansas. Any hemp product with total THC above 0% is an "intoxicating hemp product."
- Making, marketing or selling one is a felony, and the products are Schedule VI controlled substances.
- Hemp products may be sold only through permitted sellers, never by an internet-only order.
- Medical marijuana under Amendment 98 is separate and not affected.
Want to know if Arkansas's rules change? Join our email list. For what we ship where, see where we ship.
Arkansas first banned converted hemp THC with Act 629 of 2023. A court blocked that law until the Eighth Circuit vacated the injunction in June 2025 (Bio Gen LLC v. Sanders). The legislature then passed Act 934 of 2025, which defines an intoxicating hemp product as any hemp product with "a total tetrahydrocannabinol concentration that exceeds zero percent (0%) when tested in its finished form."
Act 934 took effect when the Attorney General certified it on April 22, 2026, after the federal court upheld Act 629 (Attorney General). Arkansas Tobacco Control enforces it. This guide covers the ban, what is still allowed, penalties, and the federal change on December 11, 2026. Every legal claim links to its primary source.
Key Takeaways
- Banned. Any hemp product with total THC above 0% is an intoxicating hemp product (Act 934).
- Felony. Making, marketing or selling an intoxicating hemp product is a felony, and possession is treated as a Schedule VI controlled substance.
- Narrow exception. CBD-dominant products with no more than 1mg of THC per package and at least 15 times as much CBD, which may not be marketed as containing THC.
- $5,000 permits. Hemp manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers each need an Arkansas Tobacco Control permit.
- No internet-only orders. Permit holders may not sell through "an order executed solely over the internet."
- In effect since April 22, 2026.
- Medical marijuana is separate and excluded from the ban.
Are THC Drinks Legal in Arkansas?
No. Hemp THC drinks are banned. Medical marijuana patients can buy cannabis products through Arkansas's medical program, which the hemp ban does not cover.
The Ban
Act 934 of 2025 defines an "intoxicating hemp product" as any hemp product whose total THC "exceeds zero percent (0%) when tested in its finished form," adds those products to Schedule VI, and makes manufacturing, marketing or selling one a felony (Ark. Code 20-56-502, 20-56-513). Arkansas Tobacco Control told permit holders that intoxicating hemp products "must be immediately removed from your stock" (ATC).
What Is Still Allowed
"Consumable hemp products" with "no more than one milligram (1 mg) of total tetrahydrocannabinol per container and minimum ratio of cannabidiol to tetrahydrocannabinol of greater than fifteen to one (15:1)" may be sold to adults 21+ by permitted sellers, and only if listed in the state's product directory (Ark. Code 20-56-502, -514). Even these may not be marketed as containing THC. "Container" means the outer retail package.
The Court Case
In June 2025, the Eighth Circuit vacated the injunction against Act 629 (Bio Gen LLC v. Sanders). After the district court ruled for the state in 2026, the Attorney General certified Act 934 on April 22, 2026 (AG).
Arkansas THC Drink Law at a Glance
| Status | Banned |
|---|---|
| Rule | Any hemp product over 0% total THC is intoxicating |
| Penalty for selling | Felony |
| Allowed exception | 1mg THC per package, CBD at least 15:1 |
| Minimum age (allowed products) | 21 |
| Online sales | No internet-only orders |
| Effective | April 22, 2026 |
| Last verified | October 5, 2026 |
Where to Buy THC Drinks in Arkansas
There is no legal place to buy a hemp THC drink in Arkansas. Medical marijuana patients can buy products through licensed dispensaries under Amendment 98.
Buying Online
Arkansas bans intoxicating hemp products outright and bars even permitted sellers from taking orders "executed solely over the internet," so no website can lawfully ship hemp THC drinks to Arkansas consumers. Check our where we ship page for our current status before you order.
Understanding Potency
Arkansas allows no hemp THC drinks. Its only THC-containing hemp products are capped at 1mg per package. The number on a can is usually the THC in the whole container unless the label says otherwise. Drink half a 10mg can and you've had 5mg.
| THC per serving | Who it suits |
|---|---|
| Under 1mg | Barely perceptible for most adults; the range of the new federal and some state limits |
| 2–3mg | First-timers, or a drink to sip with dinner |
| 5mg | A noticeable but mild effect; the most common starting dose |
| 10mg | Regular THC drinkers |
| 20mg and up | Experienced drinkers with a known tolerance only |
Onset and Duration
THC drinks usually take effect in about 15 to 20 minutes, though it varies with your body, what you've eaten, and the drink. Effects typically last a few hours. Wait a full hour before having a second. For more detail, read how long THC drinks take to kick in and how much to drink.
What's Changing? The Future of THC Drinks in Arkansas
The Federal Hemp Definition Change
In November 2025, Congress rewrote the federal definition of hemp in Section 781 of the agriculture funding law, Public Law 119-37. Under the new definition, a finished product with more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container is no longer hemp. A 5mg seltzer has 12.5 times that amount, and a 10mg can has 25 times.
The change was set to take effect November 12, 2026. On September 2, 2026, the President signed a stopgap funding bill, Public Law 119-103. Its Section 2019 moves most of the change to December 11, 2026. One part was not delayed: cannabinoids that the cannabis plant cannot produce naturally lose hemp status on November 12. Read our full explainer: what December 11 means for THC drinks.
Industry Response
Several bills in Congress would replace the ban with regulation. One is H.R. 10079, which would allow hemp THC beverages for adults 21+ at up to 5mg per serving, sold through an alcohol-style distribution system. As of this update, none has passed. December 11 is also the date the stopgap funding expires, so the next federal funding bill is the one to watch.
If you want to weigh in, our Take Action page shows how to reach your members of Congress. To get our final order date as soon as it's set, join the email list.
What It Means for Arkansas
- Arkansas law is already stricter than the federal 0.4mg-per-container standard, since it bans any hemp product above 0% THC.
- Medical marijuana is regulated separately under Amendment 98.
THC Drinks vs. Edibles: Key Differences
| Factor | THC drinks | Gummies and edibles |
|---|---|---|
| Typical onset | About 15–20 minutes, though it varies | Often 30 minutes to 2 hours |
| Dose control | Easy to sip part of a can and stop | Sold as fixed pieces; you cut them to adjust |
| Social fit | Replaces the drink in your hand at a party or cookout | Nothing to hold or sip |
Drinks often take effect sooner because many brands use water-soluble emulsions. The downside: a second can tastes just like the first, so it's easy to drink one before the first has peaked. Read the full comparison: THC drinks vs. edibles.
Recipes to Try
Our recipes use non-alcoholic bases you can make without THC:
Browse every recipe on the recipes page.
Driving After THC
Arkansas DWI law covers driving while influenced by a controlled substance "to such a degree that the driver's reactions, motor skills, and judgment are substantially altered" (Ark. Code 5-65-102). Don't drive after using THC.
How to Check a Can Before You Drink It
Arkansas requires allowed hemp products to be listed in the state directory. Before you open any product:
- Find the QR code and scan it. It should open the certificate of analysis for that batch.
- Match the batch number on the can to the batch number on the COA.
- Compare the potency. The THC result on the COA should be close to the milligrams printed on the label, and no more than 1mg of THC per package.
- Check the expiration date, especially for cans that have sat on a warm shelf.
Industry testing has found that many THC drinks don't match their labels. Read how to read a COA for what to look for.
Why Trust This Guide
HempBeverages.com sells THC drinks online, so we have a commercial interest in this topic. That is why this guide states Arkansas's rules as written, including where they limit online sellers like us. Every legal claim links to its source. The statements in this guide link to Act 934 of 2025, the Arkansas Code, Arkansas Tobacco Control and Attorney General releases, federal court records and the federal public laws. We re-check them on the date shown at the top of the page. Our standards are on the editorial standards page. To compare Arkansas with other states, see where THC drinks are legal by state.
Final Verdict
Arkansas has the strictest kind of hemp rule:
- Any hemp product above 0% THC is banned.
- Selling one is a felony.
- Only 1mg-per-package, CBD-dominant products remain.
There is no legal way to buy a hemp THC drink in Arkansas today.
- Hemp THC drinks are banned in Arkansas. Any hemp product with total THC above 0% is an "intoxicating hemp product."
- Making, marketing or selling one is a felony, and the products are Schedule VI controlled substances.
- Hemp products may be sold only through permitted sellers, never by an internet-only order.
- Medical marijuana under Amendment 98 is separate and not affected.
Want to know if Arkansas's rules change? Join our email list. For what we ship where, see where we ship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are THC drinks legal in Arkansas?
No. Act 934 of 2025, in effect since April 22, 2026, treats any hemp product with total THC above 0% as an intoxicating hemp product, and selling one is a felony.
Can I order THC drinks online to Arkansas?
No. Intoxicating hemp products are banned, and Arkansas bars even permitted hemp sellers from taking internet-only orders.
What hemp products are still legal in Arkansas?
CBD-dominant products with no more than 1mg of THC per package and at least 15 times as much CBD, from permitted sellers, listed in the state directory, for adults 21+.
When did the Arkansas hemp ban take effect?
Act 934 took effect when the Attorney General certified it on April 22, 2026.
Is medical marijuana affected?
No. Medical marijuana under Amendment 98 is excluded from the definition of an intoxicating hemp product.
Does the December 11, 2026 federal change affect Arkansas?
Arkansas already bans hemp products above 0% THC, which is stricter than the federal limit. This is general information, not legal advice.
Can I get a DWI from THC in Arkansas?
Yes. Ark. Code 5-65-102 covers driving while influenced by a controlled substance.
Do THC drinks show up on a drug test?
They can. Hemp-derived delta-9 THC is the same compound standard drug tests screen for, and a legal hemp source does not change the result. If you are tested for work, read do THC drinks show up on a drug test before you drink one.
Must be 21+. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Hemp and THC laws change often and vary by state; this page reflects Arkansas and federal law as verified on October 5, 2026. Check current rules with official sources such as Arkansas Tobacco Control. HempBeverages.com does not encourage buying or using THC products where it is not allowed.
