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NEW PATIENTS

Everything you need to know about qualifying, applying and getting started with medical cannabis in Arkansas.

Who Qualifies for an Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card?

You must follow the Arkansas Department of Health requirements in order to get a card.

The requirements are as follows:

  • Be 18 years of age or older or be a minor patient with a parent/guardian who applies as a caregiver.
  • Be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition – view a list of qualifying medical conditions.
  • Have the official physician written certification form.
  • Be an Arkansas resident with proof of residency. (AR Driver’s License or AR State ID card).
  • State law prohibits members of the Arkansas National Guard and the United States Military from obtaining a registry ID card.

To learn more, visit the Arkansas Department of Health’s FAQ site or contact them directly.

  • Cancer
  • Glaucoma
  • Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome
  • Hepatitis C
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Tourette’s syndrome
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Severe arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Cachexia or wasting syndrome
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Intractable pain which is pain that has not responded to ordinary medications, treatment, or surgical measures for more than six (6) months
  • Severe nausea
  • Seizures including without limitation those characteristic of epilepsy
  • Severe and persistent muscle spasms including without limitation those characteristic of multiple sclerosis

Complete the visiting application here.

A visiting patient application is $50.00 (non-refundable). If approved, a visiting patient may purchase medical marijuana in Arkansas for a 90-day period, per application.

How To Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas​

Schedule an evaluation with an Arkansas-licensed physician. If you qualify, the physician will complete your Physician Written Certification.

Patients will need:

  • A completed patient application
  • A Physician Written Certification (The physician certification must be submitted within 30 days of the physician’s signature.)
  • A copy of an Arkansas driver’s license or state ID
  • The non-refundable $50 state application fee

Applications may be submitted online through the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Patient Registry System or mailed to the Arkansas Department of Health.

The Arkansas Department of Health says processing can take up to 14 days after your application and payment are received. Incomplete or incorrect applications can take longer.

Patient cards are valid for up to one year from the issue date, unless a physician specifies a shorter period. Arkansas allows renewals up to 60 days before expiration, and renewals require a new physician certification.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW DO I BUY CANNABIS IN ARKANSAS?

In the state of Arkansas you can purchase cannabis if you have received a Medical Marijuana Card from the state of Arkansas.

CAN I PURCHASE CANNABIS FOR RECREATIONAL USE?

Only medical cannabis is legal in Arkansas, and you must have a qualifiying medical condition in order to apply for a Medical Marijuana Card.

IS MEDICAL CANNABIS COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE, LIKE PRESCRIPTIONS WOULD BE?

Currently, no. All medical marijuana purchases must be made out of pocket.

HOW LONG IS MY ID CARD VALID?

Your registry identification card from the Arkansas Department of Health will be valid for one year from the date it is issued or the amount of time designated by the physician. Visiting patient cards are valid for 3 months.

I LIVE IN ANOTHER STATE AND HAVE ONE OF THE ELIGIBLE DEBILITATING MEDICAL CONDITIONS. CAN I APPLY?

You may apply as a visiting patient. Click here and apply for out of state registration. You will need your home state medical marijuana card or equivalent. A visiting patient application is $50.00 (non-refundable). If approved, a visiting patient may purchase medical marijuana in Arkansas for a 90-day period, per application.

IS MY CONFIDENTIALITY PROTECTED WHEN I APPLY?

Yes. The following information received and records kept by the Arkansas Department Health Medical Marijuana Section are subject to all applicable federal privacy laws, are confidential, are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act and are not subject to disclosure to any individual or public or private entity, except as necessary for authorized employees of the department to perform official duties for the medical marijuana program. Law enforcement will have the ability to confirm only the validity of an ID card.

CAN I USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA ANYWHERE IN ARKANSAS?

No. Using medical cannabis is prohibited in a school bus, on the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school, in any correctional facility, in any motor vehicle, in a private residence used at any time to provide licensed child care or other similar social service care on the premises and in any public place where an individual could reasonably be expected to be observed by others. A public place includes all parts of buildings owned in a whole or in part, or leased, by the state or local unit of government. A public place does not include a private residence unless the private residence is used to provide licensed child care, foster care or other similar social service care on the premises. Using medical marijuana is also prohibited in a health care facility or any other place where smoking is prohibited by the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2006 and knowingly in close physical proximity to anyone under the age of 18.

ARE REGISTRY IDENTIFICATION CARDS FROM OTHER STATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAMS VALID IN ARKANSAS?

A visiting qualifying patient may obtain marijuana from a dispensary with approval as a visiting patient.