How Do I Get an Arizona Medical Marijuana Card?

Arizona’s medical marijuana program is extremely well-established. As such, there is a clearly defined pathway toward getting medical marijuana. The state recently legalized recreational marijuana. However, the benefits of obtaining an MMJ card include lower taxes, higher possession limits, and access to more potent products. Keep reading to find out how to get your Arizona medical marijuana card.
01

Find a Qualified Healthcare Practitioner

First and foremost, please ensure you have a qualifying medical condition. This guide outlines these conditions later on. Your next step is to locate a qualified physician willing to provide a written certification. The number of ‘cannabis-friendly’ doctors is growing in Arizona, and our partners make it easy to find one.

The types of healthcare practitioners who can recommend medical marijuana (apart from a standard MD) include:

  • An osteopathic doctor
  • An allopathic doctor
  • A homeopathic doctor
  • A naturopathic doctor

Regardless of the medical professional you choose, having a physician-patient relationship with them is necessary. This means they must review your medical records. Also, there must be a reasonable expectation that they’ll provide an element of follow-up care.

Before scheduling an appointment, please provide your medical records to your chosen clinic.

02

Schedule a Consultation

The consultation process involves discussing your usage of MMJ with the doctor. They check your medical records and ask why you believe medical marijuana is better than other treatment methods. In many cases, doctors will not approve anyone who can’t show evidence of trying conventional methods for their condition first.

Typically, the consultation will last up to 15 minutes; at the end, the doctor may immediately decide whether they’ll provide certification. In many states, you need the physician’s written recommendation. However, in Arizona, they must complete and sign a copy of the state’s physician certification form. If the doctor signs the form, you can fill it in yourself, but we advise you to let the medical professional do it.

Once approved, the doctor’s clinic takes a photo of you and includes it with the documentation you must send to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS).

03

Register with the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program

Gather your documentation and complete the online application form. You need a valid photo ID, a second photo taken within 60 days of your application, the signed certification form, and a completed and signed Patient Attestation Form. You must scan and upload all documents in PDF form, as the Arizona MMJ program doesn’t accept mailed-in applications.

Once everything is ready, register with the ADHS and start the application process by pressing “Qualifying Patient New Application.” The state’s rules dictate that you must complete and send the form within 90 days of receiving the doctor’s certification.

04

Buy Your MMJ!

If approved, you’ll receive an electronic MMJ card. You can now buy medical marijuana from one of the many licensed dispensaries in AZ.

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How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Arizona
- A Step-by-Step Guide

  • Check the state’s list of qualifying conditions to see if you’re eligible
  • Find a ‘cannabis-friendly’ physician in Arizona (our partners have a long list)
  • Get your medical records ready
  • Schedule a consultation
  • Discuss your use of MMJ with the physician
  • If approved, register with the ADHS and complete the application form
  • If successful, the ADHS will send you an electronic MMJ card
  • Use it to buy marijuana from a licensed dispensary

Arizona Medical Marijuana Card Qualifying Conditions

Arizona’s eligibility criteria list is the same as in most states with MMJ programs. You must tick the following boxes to proceed:

  • Be aged 18+
  • Have one of the qualifying conditions outlined below
  • Be a resident of Arizona and show proof of residency

Patient Qualifying Conditions

The list of qualifying conditions to get an MMJ card in Arizona is relatively short:

  • PTSD
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Hepatitis C
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • ALS
  • Alzheimer’s disease

Patients with chronic or debilitating diseases/medical conditions that have the following symptoms may also be approved:

  • Severe nausea
  • Severe/chronic pain
  • Cachexia
  • Muscle spasms
  • Seizures/epilepsy

However, you can request the addition of other medical conditions.

General Guidelines

The above provides all the information you need to apply for an MMJ card in Arizona. However, the program has plenty of stipulations you should be aware of before proceeding with an application. We outline the most pertinent information about the AZ medical marijuana program below.

Medical Marijuana Card Renewal in Arizona

In Arizona, the MMJ card is valid for two years. You can start the renewal process 90 days before your card expires, and it is wise to do so as soon as possible. Visit the official Arizona MMJ website and download the renewal form. The process involves the following:

  • A new photo taken less than 60 days before renewing
  • A fresh doctor’s certification
  • A new Patient Attestation Form

Caregiver Rules

In Arizona, MMJ patients are allowed to assign a designated caregiver. This individual must be aged 21+ with no ‘excluded’ felony offenses on their record. In AZ, patients can only use one caregiver at a time. If you want to become a caregiver, please note that you must pay a $200 application fee.

A Brief History of Cannabis in Arizona

Marijuana advocates in Arizona worked tirelessly to get the substance legalized. Attempts to legalize medical marijuana failed in 1996 and 2002 but finally succeeded in 2010 when Proposition 203 was approved by the tiniest of margins. 50.1% of voters said ‘yes’ to Prop 203, legalizing the purchase and possession of MMJ in Arizona.

Although Prop 205, an effort to legalize adult-use marijuana, failed in 2016, Proposition 207 was successful in 2020. It allows adults aged 21+ to purchase up to an ounce of marijuana in Arizona. The state was the fastest to begin retail sales after adult-use legalization in American history, with state-licensed sales beginning just two months after Prop 207 was approved!

Arizona Medical Marijuana Laws and Rules

If you’re aged 21 or over, you can possess up to an ounce of marijuana legally. Possessing more than an ounce but less than 2.5 ounces is a petty offense carrying a $300 fine but no further punishment. However, if found with over 2.5 ounces, you could be charged with a felony and serve up to 18 months in prison if found guilty.

Transferring up to an ounce between adults aged 21+ with no remuneration is legal. It is illegal to sell marijuana without a license. You could spend up to three years in prison if found selling any amount of marijuana. The penalties are even more severe for illegally possessing hash and concentrations. If found with 12.5+ grams, you face a felony charge and up to 44 months in prison if convicted.

Finally, you could spend up to two years in jail if caught growing more than six plants without an MMJ card.

What Types of Cannabis Products Can I Purchase in AZ?

As an MMJ cardholder in Arizona, you face no noteworthy restrictions on buying products. Therefore, you’ll find that dispensaries sell:

  • Dry flower
  • Edibles
  • Topicals
  • Concentrates
  • Salves
  • Capsules

FAQ | Getting Your Arizona MMJ Card

How Long Does It Take to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Arizona?

The ADHS aims to complete its review of online applications within five working days of receipt. The ADHS will send an electronic MMJ card to your email address if you’re approved.

What If I Don’t Get Approved After My Consultation with an Arizona MMJ Physician?

Thus far, most applicants who speak to doctors through one of our providers get approved. You'll receive a full refund if you’re one of the unfortunate few who don’t.

How Much Does a Medical Card Cost in Arizona?

At $150, the application fee in Arizona is one of the highest in the nation. If you’re a SNAP participant, this fee is halved to $75. The doctor’s consultation could cost upwards of $200. With MMJCardOnline, however, you could save a significant sum!

Can Minors Access MMJ in Arizona?

Yes. Applicants aged 17 or under can get a medical marijuana card with the permission of a parent or legal guardian.

How Much Cannabis Can I Buy & Possess?

While recreational users can buy and possess up to an ounce of marijuana, MMJ patients can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana every 14 days. The maximum possession limit is also 2.5 ounces.

Where Can I Legally Purchase MMJ in Arizona?

You can buy medical marijuana from one of the 130+ MMJ dispensaries in the state. You can also purchase products from recreational dispensaries. The ADHS sends a link that outlines all licensed dispensaries in the state once you’re approved. In Arizona, you can only use your medicine in a private residence. However, it seems as if the state permits the consumption of edibles in public if you’re an MMJ patient.

Can I Take My MMJ to a Different State?

No. Marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance, so bringing it across state lines is illegal. Also, Arizona doesn’t permit out-of-state MMJ cardholders to buy medical marijuana. However, it is important to remember that adults aged 21+ can purchase up to an ounce of the substance in AZ.

Can I Cultivate Marijuana at Home?

The answer is ‘yes,’ but only if you live more than 25 miles from a licensed dispensary. In this case, you can grow a maximum of 12 plants in a private residence, compared to six if you’re a recreational user. Please note that you must clearly state your intention to cultivate marijuana on your application form.

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