Arkansas medical marijuana card FAQ

Patients under 18 years old or those with a physical disability, as indicated on their physician’s written certification form, can designate a caregiver under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Program. Caregivers assist with purchasing, possessing, and administering medical cannabis on behalf of these patients.

Yes, your confidentiality is fully protected when you apply for and are approved to use medical marijuana in Arkansas. All medical marijuana patient records are kept confidential by the Arkansas Department of Health and are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). These records are also protected under applicable federal privacy laws and cannot be disclosed to any individual, public agency, or private entity. Only authorized ADH employees may access this information to perform official duties related to the medical marijuana program. Law enforcement can verify the validity of a medical marijuana ID card but does not have access to other patient details. Additionally, employee background checks will not reveal medical marijuana records in Arkansas.

Arkansas-licensed physicians can prescribe cannabis to patients. The physician must be a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy, have a genuine doctor-to-patient relationship with the qualifying patient, and have a United States Drug Enforcement Administration controlled substance license.

Not necessarily, as Arkansas allows visiting out-of-state patients to obtain a temporary medical marijuana card. But this card is only valid for 90 days. To receive a standard card, provide proof of your residency in Arkansas.

Health insurance does not usually cover medical marijuana costs in Arkansas. It’s essential to contact your insurance provider for more information.

You can purchase medical cannabis at licensed dispensaries in Arkansas. Only registered medical marijuana patients and caregivers with valid ID cards can buy cannabis products. To find a licensed dispensary near you, check the official list of approved dispensary locations here.

When visiting a medical marijuana dispensary in Arkansas, you must have a valid marijuana registry card. For first-time visits, patients may also need to provide proof of diagnosis from a licensed physician confirming they have a qualifying medical condition. This is typically done by presenting the physician’s certification. Dispensaries follow guidelines set by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and may retain a copy of the patient’s medical marijuana card for record-keeping purposes.

To apply for a medical marijuana card in Arkansas, you need to obtain a medical marijuana certification. Dr. Weedy offers an online evaluation at $109, with a refund provided in case of denial. The application cost of a medical registry identification card in Arkansas is $50.

For caregivers, the application and renewal fee for a caregiver medical marijuana card is also $50 (non-refundable). Additionally, caregivers must complete a criminal background check, which costs $37 (non-refundable), unless they are a parent or legal guardian applying on behalf of a minor.

The Arkansas medical marijuana registry identification card is valid for up to one year. Qualifying patients are expected to apply for renewal 60 days before the expiry date.

A minor can get a medical marijuana card by registering with their parent’s or legal guardian’s consent. However, since patients under 18 years old cannot purchase medical marijuana themselves, their parent or legal guardian must also register as a caregiver. The requirements for a minor to enroll in the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Program include:

• Being an Arkansas resident with a qualifying medical condition.
• Receiving consent from their parent or legal guardian. 
• Being examined by an Arkansas-licensed physician to determine whether marijuana treatment is necessary.

Minors must obtain a document from their physicians showing that the physician has explained the risks of cannabis to the parents and legal guardians of the minors. Once the minor turns 18, they can register as an adult patient and purchase medical marijuana independently.

To register with the Arkansas medical marijuana program, follow the steps below:

• Obtain a Certification: Receive a written medical marijuana certification from an Arkansas-licensed healthcare provider.

• Complete the Application Form: Send an application online to the Arkansas Department of Health.
• Pay the Application Fee: Submit the $50 application fee for the qualifying patient. 
• Wait for approval: It takes up to 14 days for the ADH to process the application.

The documents required for a medical marijuana card application in Arkansas include:

• Photocopy of Arkansas driver’s license or state ID card.
• The completed Physician Written Certification.
• Patient registry application form.

You can receive a medical marijuana card online in Arkansas through the state portal. You can also use telemedicine to receive your medical marijuana certification.

The state typically processes applications within 14 days of receiving payment and submission. Once approved, the card is mailed the next business day via the postal service.

No, the Arkansas Department of Health does not issue temporary medical marijuana cards. However, patients who apply online can print a copy of their card once their application has been reviewed and approved.

To renew your medical marijuana card, obtain a new Physician Written Certification and submit it along with a copy of your ID, patient registry application form, and a $50 non-refundable fee via money order. It may take up to 14 days to process your renewal from the date the state receives your application and payment. Incomplete applications or those with errors will be returned, causing a delay in processing.

The Arkansas Department of Health recommends renewing your card 60 days before it expires.

Caregivers in Arkansas have to renew their card as well, and pay the $50 renewal fee. When the qualified patient applies to renew their card, the caregiver can also renew their card by submitting an application.

If you miss the renewal deadline for your Arkansas MMJ card, your card will expire, and you will lose the legal protections provided by the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment. While you can still submit your renewal application, you will not be able to purchase medical marijuana until your new card is issued. You'll need to wait for approval before making any purchases.

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment of 2016 supports revoking the registry identification card of a cardholder that violates the amendment.

Weed is only legal for medical use in Arkansas. Patients with qualifying medical conditions can receive a medical card but cannot purchase recreational cannabis.

Medical marijuana patients and their caregivers cannot grow their cannabis in Arkansas. One must receive a professional cultivator’s license to grow cannabis in the state.

Arkansas has a state excise tax of 4% on usable marijuana and an additional general sales tax of 6.5% on all marijuana products.

Medical marijuana cardholders in Arkansas may face restrictions on owning firearms due to  federal law. Although the governor of Arkansas signed Act 757 which allows qualifying patients to buy concealed firearms, this has not affected the federal firearm regulations. 

Under federal law, when applying to purchase a gun, applicants must confirm whether they use any controlled substances, including marijuana. If you tick “yes” to using marijuana, as required from a medical marijuana patient, you will be prohibited from purchasing a firearm, as federal law considers marijuana use illegal.

Using marijuana is not a reason for labor discrimination in Arkansas but employers are still allowed to implement drug-free workplace policies and drug testing.

In Arkansas, smoking marijuana in public is prohibited. This includes places such as schools, daycare centers, preschools, college campuses, and drug or alcohol treatment facilities. You are also not allowed to use medical marijuana in community or recreation centers, correctional facilities, or on public transportation. Additionally, smoking is prohibited in any public space where it could affect others.

You can apply for a visiting patient medical cannabis card in Arkansas which lasts for 90 days. As long as you have the equivalent of a medical card from your home state and meet the Arkansas qualifying medical conditions, you can apply for the card.

Medical marijuana patients in Arkansas may legally transport up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, which is also the maximum amount they are allowed to possess within a 14-day period. Transporting more than 5 ounces is illegal unless the individual is a licensed transporter or an employee of a licensed dispensary or cultivation facility with a valid registration ID from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division.

Additionally, medical marijuana must be transported in its original packaging, securely stored, and not accessible to the driver while the vehicle is in motion. Cannabis use while operating a vehicle is strictly prohibited.