Frequently Asked Questions

In Arizona you might qualify for a discounted Medical Marijuana Card if as a qualifying patient who is currently on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), the cost of a registry identification card is reduced from $150 to $75.

A qualifying patient, who has been diagnosed with one of the debilitating medical
conditions will need to get a written certification from a physician (medical doctor,
osteopath, naturopath, or homeopath licensed to practice in Arizona) with whom he/she has a physician-patient relationship.

The written certification has to be on a form provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services (Department) within 90 days before submitting an application for a registry identification card.

After obtaining the written certification from the physician, the qualifying patient can apply online for a registry identification card, after April 14, 2011.

In January and July of each calendar year, the Department will accept written requests to add a medical condition to the list of the debilitating medical conditions.

The requirements for completing a request to add a medical condition include:
The name of the medical condition or the treatment of the medical condition the
individual is requesting be added;

A description of the symptoms and how they make it hard to do daily living activities.

The availability of conventional medical treatments to provide therapy or comfort for the condition;

A summary of the evidence that marijuana will provide therapy or comfort for the
medical condition; and Articles, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, reporting research on the effects of marijuana on the medical condition or the treatment of the medical condition supporting why the medical condition or the treatment of the medical condition should be added.

Allopathic (MD), Osteopathic (DO), Homeopathic [MD(H) or DO(H)], and Naturopathic [MD(N) or NMD] physicians who have a physician-patient relationship with the patient may write certifications for medical marijuana. The physician must hold a valid Arizona license.

Yes, the ADHS certification form must be filled out completely and signed and initialed by the physician providing the written certification.

A qualifying patient is required to submit a written certification, filled out, signed, and dated by the recommending physician, on a form provided by the Department. On the form, the physician needs to specify the patient’s debilitating medical condition and state that the patient is likely to receive therapy or comfort from marijuana for the debilitating medical condition or its symptoms.

Just as the credit cardholder must notify the issuer of the credit card if it is lost or stolen, a qualifying patient, designated caregiver, or dispensary agent whose registry identification card is lost or stolen must notify the Department. The cardholder can apply at the Department’s website for a replacement card. The cost of a replacement card is $10.

A qualifying patient may possess up to 2 ½ ounces of usable marijuana or 12 marijuana
plants.

According to the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, a qualifying patient may not consume medical marijuana at a dispensary but may eat medical marijuana in foods or use infused products at other locations. State law lists places where a qualifying patient may not smoke medical marijuana, including public places.

A qualifying patient who lives in a nursing care institution, hospice, assisted living facility, or adult foster care home or who attends an adult day health care facility may also have to follow restrictions imposed by the facility.

The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act states that an employer will not be able to penalize a qualifying patient with a registry identification card for a positive drug test for marijuana, unless the patient used, possessed, or was impaired by marijuana on the employment premises or during hours of employment. Most drugs tests can be customized to exclude testing for marijuanna so you can ask your employer what does a 5 panel drug test test for? to find out which drugs they are trying to identify.

If you are unsure how the Act applies to you, consult an attorney licensed to practice law in Arizona.

The laws on growing marijuana differ for every state and country. For example, in Europe some countries have more lacked laws and some, like Italy, have it strictly regulated. However, in these places more pro-marijuana laws are being put into place so hopefully they will need a cultivation guide (or guida alla coltivazione in Italian) soon!

However, we live in a state that is more relaxed and according to state law, a qualifying patient or the qualifying patient’s caregiver may be allowed to grow marijuana only if a dispensary is not operating within twenty-five (25) miles of the qualifying patient’s home.

Since no dispensaries will be operating when the first qualifying patients obtain a registry identification card, all qualifying patients will beapproved to cultivate if they request approval to cultivate.

You can grow marijuana outside if you are authorized to cultivate marijuana and you comply with the law, growing the marijuana in an enclosed, locked facility: a closet, room, greenhouse, or other enclosed area equipped with locks or other security devices that permit access only by a cardholder. “Enclosed area” is defined in rule as an outdoor space surrounded by solid 10-foot walls constructed of metal, concrete, or stone that prevent any viewing of the marijuana plants, with a one-inch-thick metal gate.

A qualifying patient who is willing and able to cultivate marijuana for his/her use or
wants to have a designated caregiver grow marijuana for the qualifying patient’s use should indicate a desire to cultivate marijuana on the application.

The Department will check to see if the qualifying patient’s address is within a 25 mile radius of the nearest operating dispensary.

If there is no dispensary within a 25 mile radius of the qualifying patient’s home, the Department will issue the qualifying patient or the designated caregiver a registry identification card indicating authorization to grow marijuana.

If there is a dispensary within a 25 mile radius, the Department will send the qualifying patient a list of all dispensaries along with a registry identification card indicating that the qualifying patient is not authorized to grow marijuana.

The registration identification card issued to the qualifying patient’s designated caregiver would also indicate that the designated caregiver is not authorized to grow marijuana.

Authorization to cultivate marijuana does not prevent a qualifying patient from
purchasing medical marijuana from a dispensary. The qualifying patient authorized to grow who purchases medical marijuana from a dispensary is still required to abide by the limit of marijuana the qualifying patient is allowed to have in his/her possession.

A qualifying patient or designated caregiver registered with ADHS will be able to obtain up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a 14-day period from a registered nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary. This is obviously different in each area according to legalisation. Look at this massachusetts dispensary for an example of a dispensary which strives for a healthy safe use of cannabis.

Qualifying patients can obtain medical marijuana from a dispensary, the qualifying
patient’s designated caregiver, another qualifying patient, or, if authorized to cultivate, from home cultivation.

When a qualifying patient obtains or renews a registry identification card, the Department will provide a list of all operating dispensaries to the qualifying patient.

When a qualifying patient applies for renewal of the registry identification card, the Department will check to see if the qualifying patient’s address is within a 25 mile radius of the nearest dispensary.

If so, the Department will send the qualifying patient a list of all dispensaries along with a registry identification card indicating that the qualifying patient is not authorized to grow marijuana.

The registry identification card issued to the qualifying patient’s designated caregiver would also indicate that the designated caregiver is not authorized to grow marijuana.

If there is no dispensary within a 25 mile radius of the qualifying patient’s home, the Department will issue the qualifying patient or the designated caregiver a registry identification card indicating the authorization to grow marijuana.

How to get a medical card in AZ is always the first question patients ask of our Scottsdale MMJ Card Doctors. The SECOND Question is How Much Does an AZ MMJ Card Cost?

The AZDHS MMJ Card fee is $150, unless you SNAP Card and then it’s $75. This is an annual fee that you will need to pay as a new Arizona Medical Marijuana Card holder, and also for subsequent years for your AZ MMJ Card Renewals.