How to Apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in Arizona
Reviewed by Dr. Shatha Atiya, PsyD. Updated October 9, 2024
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:
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- What do I need to know about the Arizona medical marijuana program?
- How do I apply for an Arizona medical marijuana card?
- What are the AZ medical marijuana rules?
We’ve sourced all the information on this page from the official Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS/ AZDHS) website. So you can trust you are reading an accurate and up-to-date resource. Let’s proceed.
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How do I Get Medical Marijuana through the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program?
As mentioned earlier, a marijuana certification from an AZ MMJ doctor is necessary before getting your medical marijuana card. Afterward, you can register as a patient on the AZDHS Individual Licensing Portal and apply for the AZ medical marijuana card.
Now, you can get your marijuana certification online. Thanks to telemedicine, you do not have to make the trip to the doctor’s office. You can get certified over a video call.
Telemedicine appointments with Quick Med Cards are easy and quick. Get started by filling out this sign-up form, then create your account. Next, pick a time that is most convenient for your marijuana evaluation. The appointment usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes. And if you are eligible, our AZ marijuana doctor will issue your marijuana certification shortly after.
Most importantly, cannabis doctors only certify those ailing from a qualifying condition for a medical card in Arizona. So, if your medical condition is not on the list, it is unlikely that a doctor will certify you for medical marijuana. Often, the doctor will recommend medicinal cannabis as a form of treatment if you are suffering from:
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- A chronic medical condition whose prescription medication could lead to physical or psychological dependence.
- Or a chronic medical condition that causes severe, debilitating psychiatric disorders.
Take a look at the qualifying conditions for a medical card in Arizona.
Registering as a Patient on the AZDHS Individual Licensing Portal
After securing your marijuana certification, you must submit your patient application to the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program through the AZDHS Individual Licensing Portal. Before proceeding, however, you must meet the following Arizona medical cannabis qualifications
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- Adult applicants must be 18 (eighteen) years or older to apply.
- Patients younger than eighteen (18) years of age at the time of application must have a designated and registered ‘Approved Caregiver’ applying on their behalf.
- All applicants must be registered residents in the state of Arizona.
- All patients must be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition.
- The government fee for the medical card application is $150 and is non-refundable. But those who can prove participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) pay $75.
Which documents should I submit with my Arizona medical marijuana card application?
Besides meeting the requirements mentioned above, you must have the following documents ready for upload when applying for your AZ medical marijuana card:
1. Proof of identity and Arizona residency. For example:
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- Arizona driver’s license
- AZ identification card
- Arizona registry identification card
- The photograph page in your U.S passport
- Birth certificate
- U.S. Certificate of Naturalization
- U.S. Certificate of Citizenship
- A current passport-style photograph. (Not older than 60 days from the application date)
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2. A signed and dated Medical Marijuana Patient Attestation.
3. Physician-completed Medical Marijuana Physician Certification Form. (From one of our AZ MMJ doctors)
4. SNAP documentation. (If applicable)
How do I submit the AZ medical marijuana card application?
Now that you are ready, this is how you go about completing your registration as a medical cannabis patient in Arizona in four easy steps:
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- Submit your application on the ADHS Individual Licensing Portal.
- Include a signed and dated Medical Marijuana Patient Attestation Form.
- Pay the $150 state registration fee.
- If you are eligible for SNAP assistance, provide valid documentation to qualify for the $75 registration fee.
Later, you will receive your digital AZ medical marijuana ID card through a link once the ADHS processes and approves your application. Also, you can check your AZ MMJ card status on the ADHS Individual Licensing Portal. The AZ MMJ card wait time may take ten (10) working days after submitting a complete application.
When did the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program Start?
Following a majority vote on November 2, 2010, Arizona officialized its medical marijuana initiative through Proposition 203. The ADHS finalized its dispensary and patient registry documentation on March 28, 2011. And on April 14, patients and caregivers could apply for the MMP, being offered protection from arrest on Schedule I regulations.
A registered Arizona patient can possess up to 2 and a half ounces of marijuana and may also designate their caregiver to carry or possess it on their behalf. Moreover, Arizona marijuana laws stipulate that any patient living 25 miles (or further) away from a dispensary may cultivate up to 12 cannabis plants on their property.
Out-of-state patients are eligible for legal protection for up to 30 days through their medical marijuana ID card. But they cannot use it to purchase cannabis products from a dispensary.
In 2019, Governor Doug Ducey approved a law requiring state dispensaries to test all of their medical marijuana products through third-party laboratories for THC/CBD potency, as well as any potential contaminants. The legislature also increased the validity of medical ID cards to two years, upwards from one.
In 2019, the Arizona Supreme Court settled State v. Jones, ruling that any concentrates, cannabis-infused edibles, or other similar products were fully legal under the Arizona medical marijuana laws.
Ten years after its medical legalization, Arizona residents voted in a 60% majority to legalize adult-use recreational marijuana through Proposition 207. Come 2021, Arizona became one of the first states to apply its voter initiative on January 22. As a result, it became one of the hallmark states of US-wide normalization, alongside New Jersey, New York, and New Mexico.
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AZ Medical Marijuana Rules
Following this year’s legalization, the Arizona marijuana market has flourished both on the medical and recreational side. Thanks to the added accessibility to marijuana products brought on by this market flourish, state-registered patients are encouraged to stay up-to-date with the AZ marijuana laws concerning the benefits and responsibilities that their patient status provides:
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- Through their medical marijuana ID card, patients are allowed to possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana every 14 days. For reference, recreational users are allowed a possession limit of only 1 ounce.
- State-approved dispensaries remain the only locations where you may conduct your marijuana-related purchases. Personal sales are strictly prohibited by Arizona state laws and you should NOT engage with them in any way, shape, or form.
- Patients who live at least 25 miles away from a dispensary may grow up to 12 cannabis plants on their private property. For reference, non-patient residents are allowed to cultivate up to 6 plants, or 12 per household, if two or more adults are living in the same residence.
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
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- Residents in AZ could apply for the state’s medical marijuana program from April 14, 2011.
- An Arizona cannabis doctor must certify you for medical marijuana, and you must apply on the AZDHS portal to get a medical marijuana card.
- The state fee for the AZ medical card is $150.
- Patients with a valid medical marijuana card in Arizona can possess up to 2.5 ounces of MMJ 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 many dispensaries are in Arizona?
As of September 1, 2024, there are 137 medical marijuana dispensaries in Arizona with 132 operating facilities.
Some of the most popular medical marijuana dispensaries in Arizona include:
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- ANC Medical and Recreational Marijuana Dispensary in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Phoenix Relief Center Marijuana Dispensary in Phoenix, Arizona.
- Arizona Organix Dispensary in Glendale, Arizona.
Once I get my card, what type of medicine can I buy from Arizona dispensaries?
With your AZ medical card, you can get different forms of medical marijuana from state-approved dispensaries. For instance:
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- 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?
To check your Arizona allotment, log in to your account on the AZDHS Individual Licensing Portal. Next, view your medical marijuana allotment on your dashboard. The online portal contains the official allotment statistics.
This portal will provide patients like you with transaction history from the last 60 days and allow you to view your AZ MMJ allotment.
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)
Phone: (602) 542-1025
Fax: (602) 542-0883
Arizona Department of Health Services
150 North 18th Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85007