How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas Step by Step

Since the passage of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment in 2016 and the launch of the first dispensaries in 2019, Arkansas patients have legally obtained medical cannabis to treat certain qualifying conditions. Medical cannabis can provide a number of benefits for these conditions and their treatment regimens, including pain relief, nausea suppression, and appetite increase.

Applying for an Arkansas medical marijuana card can be confusing -- but the Sanctuary is here to help. Here’s our step-by-step guide to applying for an Arkansas medical marijuana card.

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Step 1: Identify Your Qualifying Condition

Arkansas physicians only issue medical marijuana certifications to patients with a qualifying condition. Arkansas identifies the following conditions as treatable by medical marijuana:

ALS
Alzheimer’s disease
Cachexia
Cancer
Crohn’s disease
Fibromyalgia
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis C

Intractable pain
Peripheral neuropathy
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Seizures
Severe and persistent muscle spasms
Severe arthritis
Severe nausea
Tourette’s syndrome
Ulcerative colitis

If you don’t have a condition on this list, you may still be eligible for a cannabis card. The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) may approve another condition or treatment program that could benefit from medical marijuana.

Step 2: Meet with A Licensed Physician

The next step to applying for an Arkansas medical marijuana card is to meet with a licensed physician who can certify you for cannabis use. You will need to provide your physician with a blank copy of the Physician Written Certification form. They will fill out the form at your appointment, which you will submit with your future application. The certification expires 30 days from your visit.

The ADH does not identify specific physicians who can provide medical cannabis evaluations, or have any licensing requirements for such physicians. You will simply need to meet with a doctor who holds a valid Arkansas medical license.

If you need assistance finding a doctor who can certify your condition, the Sanctuary can help. Contact us to learn more about our Arkansas telemed services.

Step 3: Compile the Necessary Paperwork

The next step after visiting your doctor is to submit an application to the ADH. Before you begin, make sure you have all the required documents.

To apply for an Arkansas medical marijuana card, you will need:

Your completed physician certification form
A photocopy of your Arkansas ID or driver’s license
Your social security number
A $50 non-refundable payment via debit or credit card

The name and address you place on your application must match the address on your state ID.

Step 4: Submit Your Arkansas Department of Health Application

After you compile the paperwork you need to apply for your card, you will then complete your online application on the ADH website. If you do not already have an account on the application portal, you will need to create one.

Remember, it costs $50 to apply for a medical marijuana card in Arkansas, so make sure you have these funds. Double check all personal information is correct before sending in your final application.

Step 5: Receive Your Medical Marijuana Card in the Mail

After you submit your application, it can take up to 14 days for the ADH to process and approve your medical marijuana registration. After approval, you can print your card directly from the ADH portal. If you do not print your card, you will receive your cannabis card in the mail -- which allows you to purchase marijuana at any approved Arkansas dispensary.

Need Help Obtaining A Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card?

Applying for an Arkansas cannabis card and unsure where to start? The Sanctuary Wellness Institute is here for you. We connect Arkansas patients with a qualifying condition with licensed physicians who can certify you for medical marijuana.