5 Steps to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas
Trying to get your hands on cannabis for help managing symptoms while still doing it legally? You’re in luck! Arkansas approved medical weed through the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016. Almost 100,000 Medical Marijuana ID cards have been approved since then.
But, we know there’s some confusion to actually do this. So, as part of our mission to make medical cannabis easy to obtain, we’ve streamlined the process and included this guide to help you out. Follow the steps here to get your Arkansas MMJ card application taken care of in the fastest and most affordable way possible.
Overview
In Arkansas, you can get medical marijuana if you follow these guidelines:
- Have a qualifying condition
- Are 18 years or older (or have a parent’s consent)
- Not be a member of the AR National Guard and US Military
- Have an official Physician’s written certification from a medical marijuana doctor
- Apply and be approved for a Medical Marijuana Card (MMJ)
1. Have a Qualifying Condition
The Conditions
These are all the conditions that will qualify you for a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- Severe arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy
- HIV positive/acquired immune deficiency syndrome
- Hepatitis C
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Intractable pain — pain that can’t be treated to ordinary medications or treatment for more than 6 months
- Severe nausea
- Seizures or epilepsy
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms or multiple sclerosis
- Any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the Department of Health
Other Options
If you don’t suffer from the listed conditions, but still want Medical Marijuana in Arkansas, you still have options. You can petition the Department of Health to get approval for your medical condition. You’ll go through a hearing and hear back on approval within 4 months. File a petition to get your Arkansas MMJ Card application here.
2. Be 18 Years or Older (or Have a Parent’s Consent)
The next requirement for getting medical weed in Arkansas is to be 18 or older. That should be pretty straightforward. But, if you’re younger, you can still get a card with a parent’s consent. Essentially, you designate a parent or guardian to be your caregiver. That person can buy you Medical Marijuana at Arkansas dispensaries legally. You can’t buy on your own, your caregiver has to do it for you.
Rules for Caregivers
For someone to be a qualified caregiver, they have to be:
- 21 years or older
- Taking care of someone either physically disabled or a minor
- An Arkansas Resident
- Not a member of the AR National Guard or US Military
If they qualify, your caregiver can get a medical marijuana registry card for up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis for you. Note: it isn’t legal for caregivers to use Medical Marijuana from an Arkansas dispensary for themselves.
If the caregiver isn’t your parent or legal guardian, they need to go through a background check, including fingerprints. They have to pay for the check, the Arkansas MMJ card application fee, and the doctor card certification.
3. Don’t be a Member of the Military or Guard
Under Arkansas regulations, members of the National Guard and the US Military can’t get medical weed in Arkansas. According to Arkansas Healthy, “Legislation passed in 2017 prohibits members of Arkansas National Guard and United States military from obtaining a qualified patient or designated caregiver registry ID card.”
4. Get Cannabis Card Certification by a Medical Marijuana Doctor
Legally, Medical Marijuana can’t be prescribed to Arkansas patients because it isn’t FDA approved. But, patients can be “recommended” to use medical cannabis. This recommendation is what you need to get from Ozark MMJ Cards’ doctors. All it is is a document from the doctor stating that you qualify for medical cannabis because of a qualifying condition. The recommendation is good for an Arkansas MMJ card application for a month. If you don’t apply within that time, you’ll need a new recommendation. At Ozark MMJ Cards, you can get a recommendation through a virtual consultation for only $99! You can begin the certification here.
Before You Start
Before you get your Arkansas Medical Marijuana recommendation, you’ll need to complete the New patient application with us. If you’re renewing your card, then you’ll need the Renewing patient application. Fill it out, and it’ll be reviewed by our staff. You’ll get a notification if you’re considered pre-qualified and be able to set up a virtual doctor consultation.
5. Apply to the Arkansas Department of Health
After you’ve done the first four steps, you’re reading to apply for medical weed in Arkansas through the Department of Health! With only a little more paperwork, you’ll be on your way to Medical Marijuana in Arkansas.
The Application Process
- Fill out the Arkansas MMJ card application online or through the mail.
- For the online app, go here.
- You’ll need a state-issued ID, physician certification, and a $50 payment fee to go through the application. You’ll also need to submit your caregiver’s background check and another $37 if you’re a minor.
- Create an account to complete the app and pay the fees through AMM.
- If you need support, you can email [email protected].
- Your application can take 10 to 14 days to process. If it’s incomplete, it’ll be returned to you.
- Your Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card will be valid for 1 year if accepted! You need to renew it annually.
Need More Info?
You can get more info about the Arkansas MMJ card application and other states at our YouTube explanation or Registration Page. The Arkansas Department of Health won’t provide info to patients about medical marijuana doctors, legal matters, personal matters, or info on other states’ programs.
Costs
To get your Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card, you have to pay for a doctor’s recommendation and the Department of Health’s fees for patients and caregivers. Through us, it’s $99 to get your Arkansas medical weed certification. Once you get your recommendation, it’s $50 for the application, and another $37 to register a caregiver.
The great thing about going through Ozark MMJ cards is we don’t charge you for your doctor consultation, only the recommendation. If you don’t qualify, you won’t owe us a thing. Plus, you can get your consultation without any documentation of your qualifying condition necessary. While the Arkansas Medical Marijuana recommendation isn’t guaranteed, we make it as easy for you to get one as possible. Start the certification process here.
Let Us Know if You Have Any Questions
We’re excited to be a part of your Arkansas MMJ card application journey! If you have any questions about the process, feel free to contact us. We want to make your road to medical marijuana as smooth as it can be.