How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Arizona
Reviewed by Dr. Shatha Atiya, PsyD. Updated June 6, 2025
Welcome to the best guide on applying for a medical marijuana card in Arizona!
By the end of this page, you will have the answers to these questions:
- What should I know about the Arizona medical marijuana program?
- How do I apply for an Arizona medical marijuana card?
- What is the Arizona MMJ allotment, and how do I track it?
We’ve sourced all the information on this page from the official Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) website. So you can trust that you are reading an accurate and up-to-date resource. Let’s proceed.
Looking for a Medical Marijuana Doctor?
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:
- Fill out the sign-up form and create your account.
- Pick an appointment time that suits you.
- Attend your evaluation over a video call.
- 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:
- Have all the required documents in digital format.
- Log in to the Individual Licensing Portal and complete your medical card application.
- Pay for your medical marijuana card.
- Wait for approval from the ADHS.
- 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.
How can I check the status of my medical marijuana application online?
Here’s how to check the status of your AZ MMJ card application:
- Log in to your Individual Licensing Portal account.
- Select the “Marijuana” tile.
- Click on “Application Status.”
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).
Minor Patient Application
Patients under 18 can qualify for a medical marijuana card in Arizona, provided their parent or legal guardian handles the application.
You must apply jointly with your child, providing your personal and your child’s information. Also, since you’ll be acting as the child’s caregiver, you must register as a caregiver.
The Qualified Patient Under the Age of 18 Checklist contains the required documents for your application. You can find this checklist in the Patient Resources section at the bottom of this page.
Caregiver Application
Caregivers are responsible for assisting patients with their medical cannabis needs. To help your patient(s) as one, apply for an Arizona medical marijuana card.
You qualify as a caregiver if you meet the following requirements:
- Are at least 21 years old.
- Agree to assist the patient in their medical cannabis treatment.
- Have no convictions for disqualifying felony offenses.
Applying as a caregiver is easy on the Individual Licensing Portal. However, there are some extra qualification criteria you must meet. For instance:
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Your patient must have a valid medical marijuana card and designate you as their caregiver.
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You must submit your fingerprints to the ADHS.
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You must pay $200 for the caregiver card.
Renew Your Arizona Medical Marijuana Card
Your Arizona medical marijuana card will be valid for two years. The same validity period applies to AZ MMJ cards for minor patients and caregivers.
The cost of renewing the AZ MMJ card is the same as the initial application. Here are the renewal fees for each applicant type:
- Adult patient: $150
- SNAP-eligible patient: $75
- Minor patient plus caregiver: $350
- SNAP-eligible minor patient plus caregiver: $275
- Caregiver: $200
You can renew your medical card 90 days before the expiration date. If your card expires before you renew it, you’ll need to start over with a new application. Your caregiver’s card will also expire if yours becomes invalid.
Follow the process below to renew your AZ MMJ card online:
- Log in to your Individual Licensing Portal Account.
- Fill out the renewal application.
- Upload the required documents.
- Pay for your medical marijuana card.
- Wait for ADHS approval.
- Download your Arizona medical marijuana card.
You’ll have to upload these up-to-date documents during your renewal application:
- Physician certification
- Photograph
- Patient Attestation Form
- Proof of SNAP eligibility (if applicable)
- Arizona ID or driver’s license (if you had a name change since your last application)
Speak with Our Medical Marijuana Doctor Today
Same-day appointments available.
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:
- Visit the ADHS Licensing Portal.
- Log in with your credentials.
- Click “Individual Portal.”
- Select “Marijuana Program.”
- Choose “Patient” or “Caregiver.”
- 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:
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Larger possession and buying limits
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Significantly cheaper marijuana
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Robust employment protections
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Protection against discrimination in housing and education
Get more details on the benefits of a medical marijuana card in Arizona.
Speak with Our Medical Marijuana Doctor Today
Same-day appointments available.
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.
How long does AZ medical marijuana application process usually take?
With all your documents ready, it could take you under an hour to complete and submit your AZ medical card application. After ADHS approves your application, your medical marijuana card will be available in your Individual Licensing Portal account within 10 working days.
While ADHS Rules allow up to 15 working days, most patients receive their cards sooner.
How many dispensaries are in Arizona?
As of May 1, 2025, there are 136 medical marijuana dispensaries and 136 operating facilities in Arizona.
Some of the most popular medical marijuana dispensaries in Arizona include:
- ANC Medical and Recreational Marijuana Dispensary – Phoenix
- Phoenix Relief Center Marijuana Dispensary – Phoenix
- Arizona Organix Dispensary – Glendale
Once I get my card, what type of medicine can I buy from Arizona dispensaries?
With your AZ medical card, you can get the following forms of medical marijuana from state-approved dispensaries:
- Cannabis flower
- Vape cartridges
- Cannabis edibles
- Extracts
- Pre-rolls
- Topicals
Does Arizona accept out-of-state medical cards?
Yes. Visiting patients with out-of-state MMJ cards can use and possess medical marijuana in Arizona.
However, a visiting patient cannot buy marijuana from AZ dispensaries because dispensaries cannot verify the authenticity of an out-of-state medical card.
Can you use an AZ medical card in California?
Yes. California does not have a dedicated reciprocity program, but the state allows visiting patients to apply for a medical cannabis card to make legal purchases from California dispensaries.
Patients who successfully apply for the California medical card enjoy access to cheaper medical marijuana because of sales and use tax exemptions on medical cannabis products.
How does AZ MMJ allotment work?
The AZ MMJ allotment feature helps patients track how much medical marijuana they buy and how much more they can obtain within 14 days.
The current allotment is 2.5 ounces every 14 days for medical marijuana patients.
What is the recreational allotment in Arizona?
The recreational allotment for adults aged 21 and older is one ounce of cannabis and no more than five grams of concentrate.
How do I check my Arizona allotment?
Follow these steps to view your medical marijuana allotment through the ADHS portal:
- Log in to your account on the ADHS Individual Licensing Portal.
- Access your dashboard to view your medical marijuana allotment.
- Review your transaction history from the past 60 days.
Note: The ADHS portal contains official allotment statistics and tracks your recent transactions.
When does the AZ MMJ allotment reset?
Arizona MMJ allotment does not have a start, stop, or reset day.
Since qualifying patients can only buy 2.5 ounces every 14 days, the allotment checker helps patients understand how much more cannabis they can buy after previous marijuana purchases.
Can any doctor prescribe marijuana in Arizona?
Marijuana doctors in Arizona do not prescribe cannabis, but they certify qualifying patients for medicinal marijuana treatment.
Only doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathic medicine, naturopathic physicians, and homeopathic physicians with valid licenses to practice can issue marijuana certifications to eligible patients.
Can I buy medical marijuana online in Arizona?
You can buy medical marijuana online from some dispensary websites.
Some medical marijuana dispensaries in Arizona can deliver cannabis to you, or you can choose to pick up your medicine after placing an order.
Can nurse practitioners prescribe marijuana in Arizona?
No, nurse practitioners cannot prescribe or recommend medical marijuana in Arizona.
Only doctors of medicine, doctors of osteopathic medicine, naturopathic physicians, and homeopathic physicians with valid licenses to practice can issue marijuana certifications to eligible patients.
Who regulates cannabis in Arizona?
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is in charge of regulating medical marijuana.
The Department also considers petitions from the public to add debilitating medical conditions. Additionally, the ADHS establishes the application and renewal fees for registry identification cards.
Is Arizona a reciprocal medical marijuana state?
Yes. Visiting patients with out-of-state MMJ cards can use and possess medical marijuana in Arizona.
However, a visiting patient cannot buy marijuana from AZ dispensaries because dispensaries cannot verify the authenticity of an out-of-state medical card.
Does having a medical card show up on a background check in AZ?
No. Your cannabis patient information with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is confidential, protected health information, and held in compliance with federal HIPAA regulations.
So, your status as a cannabis patient will not show on a background check.
Patient Resources and Forms
Contact details for the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program
State Agency: The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS)
Division: Arizona Medical Marijuana Patient Card Registry Office
Phone:
(602) 364-1793
(844) 700-7300 (Toll-Free)
Email: M2programsupport@azdhs.gov
Phoenix Main Office
150 N. 18th Avenue, Suite 150
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Website: https://www.azdhs.gov/licensing/medical-marijuana/index.php