How to Get Your Medical Cannabis Card in Arkansas

Have you been looking into medical cannabis as an Arkansas resident but aren’t quite sure if you qualify or where to get started? Body and Mind wants to connect prospective patients with the right resources to help them navigate the process. For your convenience, we’ve put together the steps you need to take in order to get the medicine you need.

Qualifying Conditions

Every state has its own list of medical conditions that would qualify you if you suffer from anything on the list. This list looks pretty similar from state-to-state, although  some states include conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Below is a list of all qualifying conditions under current Arkansas law: 

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus
• 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 that has not responded to ordinary medications, treatment, or surgical measures for more than six (6) months
• Severe nausea
• Seizures including without limitation that characteristic of epilepsy
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms including without limitation those characteristics of multiple sclerosis
• Any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the Department of Health

If you do have any of these conditions, the next thing you’ll want to do is acquire medical documentation  to present at your MMJ consultation. 

Find a Physician and Get a Consultation 

Once you have your paperwork in order, you’ll want to start looking at scheduling an evaluation with an MMJ certified physician at any of the Arkansas Marijuana Card clinic locations. 

In order for a physician to certify you for medical marijuana, they must be licensed and in good standing in the state of Arkansas. 

At the appointment, you and the doctor will discuss your medical conditions and treatment history. This is when you’ll have the opportunity to present your medical documents. 

Create an Account with ADH

In Arkansas, new patients will need to go to the Arkansas Department of Health website and choose the “Apply Online” option:

• Click on the blue “Patient Registration” button
• Click on “New Patient Registration”
• Check your email for “Confirm Your Account” email (you may need to check your trash or spam folder)
• Confirm your account

To complete your application you’ll also need:

• Your social security number
• To report your military status
• To sign (electronically)
• To upload a picture of your state ID
• To upload a picture of your physician certification

This is when you’ll be prompted to pay the $50.00 application fee and in the next 10-14 days, check the status of your application. If approved, you may print your card. If you do not print your card, the ADH will mail it to you.

Once you have your MMJ ID card, you’ll be ready to head to a Body and Mind dispensary for a new patient consultation!

Common Questions

Is Medical Cannabis Covered by Insurance?

Currently, because cannabis is still illegal under federal law, it is not possible for insurance companies to cover cannabis doctors or products in any way.

Can I Visit a Dispensary the Same Day as My Certification?

Unfortunately, you’ll need to wait the 10-14 days and if you’re approved you will be allowed to print your own card and head to the dispensary. 

How Often Do I Need to Renew My Card?

You’ll need to have your MMJ card renewed every year.