How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Arizona

Related

• How to Get Your Medical Marijuana Card in AZ
• The Qualifying Conditions for a Medical Card in Arizona
• Medical vs. Recreational Marijuana in Arizona

How do I Apply for an AZ Medical Marijuana Card?

Before applying for your AZ medical card, you need a marijuana certification from a licensed cannabis doctor.

So, get certified by following these steps:

1. Fill out the sign-up form and create your account.
2. Pick an appointment time that suits you.
3. Attend your evaluation over a video call.
4. Receive your medical cannabis certification if you qualify.

Afterward, complete your medical marijuana application on the Individual Licensing Portal.

Ensure you’re eligible for an AZ MMJ card by reviewing the requirements and qualifying conditions for a medical card in AZ.

Registering as an Adult Patient on the ADHS Individual Licensing Portal

After securing your marijuana certification, you must submit your patient application through the ADHS Individual Licensing Portal.

Follow these steps to proceed:

1. Have all the required documents in digital format.
2. Log in to the Individual Licensing Portal and complete your medical card application.
3. Pay for your medical marijuana card.
4. Wait for approval from the ADHS.
5. Download your electronic medical marijuana card from your portal account after approval.

The AZ medical card costs $150. However, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants only pay $75.

Which documents should I upload during my Arizona medical marijuana card application?

You must have the following documents ready for upload when applying for your AZ medical marijuana card: 

• Proof of identity and Arizona residency (provide one of the following):
  • Arizona driver’s license
  • Arizona identification card
  • Arizona registry identification card
  • Photograph page of your U.S. passport
  • Birth certificate
  • U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
  • U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
• A recent passport-style photograph (taken within the last 60 days).
• A signed and dated Medical Marijuana Patient Attestation.
• A completed Medical Marijuana Physician Certification Form (filled out by one of our AZ MMJ doctors).
• Proof of SNAP participation (if applying for a reduced fee).

Arizona MMJ Allotment – How Much Can You Buy & Possess?

Your AZ medical marijuana allotment lets you buy up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis every 14 days. In addition, you can possess 2.5 ounces of usable marijuana and grow 12 plants maximum in an enclosed, locked facility.

The AZ recreational allotment is much lower, where adults aged 21+ can buy up to 1 ounce of marijuana and at most 5 grams of concentrate.

You can easily track your MMJ allotment through the ADHS portal as a patient by following these steps:

1. Visit the ADHS Licensing Portal.
2. Log in with your credentials.
3. Click “Individual Portal.”
4. Select “Marijuana Program.”
5. Choose “Patient” or “Caregiver.”
6. Look under “Purchase History.”

In the Purchase History tab, you can do the following:

• See all your card purchases
• Sort by date, amount, or other details
• Track your 14-day limit

This simple system helps ensure you stay within legal limits while meeting your needs.

When did the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program Start?

Arizona’s medical marijuana program began in December 2010 when voters passed the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA). The program officially launched on April 14, 2011, making Arizona the fourteenth state to legalize medical marijuana.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) oversees the entire medical marijuana program. The department handles all licensing, registration, and regulatory responsibilities for patients, caregivers, dispensaries, and testing laboratories.

Key ADHS responsibilities include:

• Processing medical marijuana card applications and renewals
• Licensing and regulating dispensaries and testing laboratories
• Reviewing requests to add new qualifying medical conditions
• Maintaining the patient and caregiver registry
• Ensuring compliance with state medical marijuana laws

This framework ensures patients have regulated access to cannabis products. As evidence of its success, Arizona’s Medical Marijuana Program has been operating successfully for over a decade.

The program has grown significantly since its inception. 

Current program statistics (as of April 2025):

• 86,426 registered qualifying patients
• 232 registered caregivers
• 136 licensed medical marijuana dispensaries

In November 2020, Arizona voters also passed the Smart and Safe Arizona Act (SASAA), which legalized recreational marijuana while maintaining the separate medical program.

Medical vs Recreational Marijuana in Arizona

Both recreational and medical marijuana are available in Arizona. Medical marijuana is available to patients across all age groups. Meanwhile, adult-use/recreational cannabis is only for those aged 21+.

Why would you need a medical marijuana card if recreational marijuana is available? Well, an AZ MMJ card comes with the following advantages exclusive to medical patients:

• Larger possession and buying limits

• Significantly cheaper marijuana

• Robust employment protections

• Protection against discrimination in housing and education

Get more details on the benefits of a medical marijuana card in Arizona.

AZ Medical Marijuana Rules

State-registered patients should stay informed about AZ marijuana laws to understand their benefits and responsibilities. For example, the rules allow patients to do the following:

• Possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana every 14 days with a medical marijuana ID card (recreational users are limited to 1 ounce).
• Purchase marijuana only from state-approved dispensaries (personal sales are strictly prohibited).
• Grow up to 12 cannabis plants on private property if living at least 25 miles from a dispensary (non-patients are limited to 6 plants or 12 per household).

List of medical marijuana dispensaries in Arizona

Once you get your AZ medical marijuana card, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) will provide you with a list of all operating medical marijuana dispensaries in Arizona. Remember, if you live farther than 25 miles from the closest dispensary, you can lawfully cultivate marijuana for personal use.

Key Takeaways

• Arizona residents have been eligible to apply for the state’s medical marijuana program since April 14, 2011.
• Certification from an Arizona cannabis doctor and submission of an application on the ADHS portal are necessary to obtain a medical marijuana card.
• The state fee for an Arizona medical marijuana card is $150.
• Patients with a valid medical marijuana card can possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana every 14 days.

Common Questions about the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program

Below are answers to common questions that patients have about the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program.