At a Glance
Medical Marijuana Program: Yes
Adult Use / Recreational MMJ: No
Pediatric: Yes
Home grow: If the patient lives more than 25 miles from the nearest dispensary, the patient or caregiver may cultivate up to 12 marijuana.
Possession limit: 2.5 ounces.
Reciprocity: Yes, limited reciprocity to ‘visiting qualifying patients’.
Legislation: Ballot Proposition 203
Number of locations/license: No limit.
Estimated # of registered patients: 125,991
Types of cannabis permitted for use: All- Dispensaries must obtain a written authorization along with a Food Establishment License before preparing, selling or dispensing marijuana-infused edible food products.
Legalization & Important Dates
• November 02, 2010, Ballot Proposition 203 “The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act”, was approved, removing state-level penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana, by patients who have a “written or oral recommendation” from their primary care physician, stating that he or she “would benefit from medical marijuana.”
• April 11, 2012, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) released the revised rules for regulating medical marijuana.
• November 15, 2012, the ADHS approved the state’s first dispensary. December 06, 2012, the state’s first medical marijuana dispensary, “Arizona Organic”, opened in Glendale.
Types of Licenses
Dispensary
A medical marijuana dispensary registered with ADHS must be operated on a not-for-profit basis, but will be able to receive payment for expenses incurred in its operation.
Associated Fees
Non-refundable Dispensary Registration Certificate Application fee $5,000.00
Non-refundable Dispensary Registration Certificate Renewal Application fee $1,000.00
Additional cultivation site application – $2,500.00 application fee as per
The fees are listed in rules and include:
$500 for an initial or a renewal registry identification card for a dispensary agent.
$5,000 for an initial dispensary registration certificate.
$1,000 for a renewal dispensary registration certificate.
$2,500 to change the location of a dispensary or cultivation facility.
$10 to amend, change, or replace a registry identification card.
Qualifying Conditions
Patients in Arizona diagnosed with one of the following severe, debilitating, or life-threatening medical conditions, are afforded legal protection under the Arizona Medical Marijuana law, as per Ballot Proposition 203 “Arizona Medical Marijuana Act”:
• Cancer;
• glaucoma;
• HIV
• Hepatitis C;
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease);
• Crohn’s disease;
• Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease;
• or the treatment of these conditions,
• chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following:
• cachexia or wasting syndrome;
• severe and chronic pain;
• severe nausea;
• seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy;
• or severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis.
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
How to Become A Medical Marijuana Patient
$150 for an initial or a renewal registry identification card for a qualifying patient. Some qualifying patients may be eligible to pay $75 for initial and renewal cards if they currently participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
1. Patients must be an Arizona Resident with a valid Arizona I.D. as proof of residency. If you do not have an Arizona I.D. an out of state I.D., passport, or other photo I.D. with proof of residency such as bank statement, utility bill, etc. is acceptable.
2. Obtain an authenticated, written certification from a doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathic medicine, naturopathic physician or homoeopathic physician licensed in the state of Arizona, that states that you have been diagnosed with a debilitating condition and that you would likely receive benefit from medical marijuana
3. Patients must obtain legitimate medical records or documentation from your primary care physician describing their diagnosis and bring these records with you to your marijuana evaluation appointment
4. Upon receiving a physician’s medical marijuana recommendation, patient’s MUST register with the Arizona Department of Health Services, to obtain a Medical Marijuana card.
Card Holder Benefits
Home cultivation – In Arizona, qualified patients or their registered designated caregivers may obtain up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana in a 14-day period from a registered nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary. If the patient lives more than 25 miles from the nearest dispensary, the patient or caregiver may cultivate up to 12 marijuana plants in an enclosed, locked facility.
Caregivers
A caregiver must apply for a new card for every patient under their care (up to five patients). $200 for an initial or a renewal registry identification card for a designated caregiver.
