How To Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas

Since the passage of Amendment 98, nicknamed “The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment” in November 2016, the use of medical marijuana has become legal and regulated in the state of Arkansas. In Arkansas, patients with certain diseases are permitted to use cannabis for medicinal reasons. It is the Arkansas Department of Health that provides a medical marijuana ID that you must have to obtain cannabis from dispensatories in the state. At present, there are more than 115,000 IDs for medical marijuana in Arkansas as of April 2026.

All information regarding obtaining an Arkansas medical marijuana ID card is provided below.

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) handles patient enrollment and provides registry ID cards. The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Commission, which falls under the Department of Finance and Administration, deals with dispensary and cultivation facility licensing, although for patient ID cards, you must deal with the ADH.
In case you need answers regarding your eligibility for the program, then this article will be of great help to you.

You can reach the ADH Medical Marijuana Section at:

• Phone: 501-682-4982 or toll-free at 1-833-214-8619
• Online portal: mmj.adh.arkansas.gov
• Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For obtaining a medical marijuana card in Arkansas, the following conditions must be fulfilled by applicants:

• Age: Must be at least 18 years old. Children are allowed to become applicants if one of their parents or legal guardians consents.
• Residency: Should have a permanent residence in Arkansas along with a valid driver’s license.
• Qualifying medical condition: Should suffer from one of the qualified medical conditions as per the state laws.
• Active duty military exemption: Arkansas National Guard members and active-duty U.S. military personnel are not allowed to get medical marijuana cards.

Arkansas recognizes the following conditions for medical marijuana eligibility:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Severe arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Intractable pain (pain unresponsive to ordinary treatment or medication for more than six months)
• Severe nausea
• Seizures (including those characteristic of epilepsy)
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms (including those associated with multiple sclerosis)

The ADH further receives petitions from members of the public to include additional conditions that qualify for inclusion in the above-listed diseases. You should check out the ADH website if you have a particular disease that is not listed here.

Step 1: Get a Physician Written Certification

First, you should schedule a consultation with a licensed physician in Arkansas who is either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). These physicians must:

• Be a licensed physician in Arkansas without any restrictions on his practice
• Be a registered physician under the DEA
• Be your treating physician, thereby establishing a doctor-patient relationship
• Undertake an in-person evaluation of your medical history and current state

Important: According to the law in Arkansas, telemedicine cannot be used for certifications; it can only be utilized for recertification purposes. You need to ensure that you get your first certification physically.

Once your physician verifies your eligibility criteria, he or she will fill out the Medical Marijuana Physician Written Certification form issued by ADH. Your medical marijuana physician certification is valid for thirty days starting from the date on which it was signed.

Step 2: Gather Your Required Documents

Before applying, make sure you have the following ready:

• Completed Physician Written Certification Form – signed and dated by your licensed Arkansas physician
• Proof of identity and Arkansas residency – a valid Arkansas driver’s license or state ID card
• Payment – a non-refundable $50 application fee (credit/debit card for online applications; check or money order for mail-in)

If there is a need for a designated caregiver (minors or physically disabled individuals), then the caregiver must also apply separately. The applicant for the caregiver must be at least 21 years old, a resident of Arkansas, and have passed a criminal background check. There is an extra $37 fee for the caregiver application.

Step 3: Submit Your Application Through the ADH Online Portal

According to the ADH, patients are strongly advised to complete their application through the online portal provided on their Medical Marijuana Patient Registry System at www.mmj.adh.arkansas.gov. 

Here’s how the online process works:

• Visit the portal and click “Patient Registration” if you’re a new applicant (or “Login” if you’re renewing)
• Create your account and fill in your personal and medical information
• Upload your completed Physician Written Certification Form and a copy of your Arkansas ID
• Pay the $50 non-refundable application fee by credit or debit card
• Review all information carefully and submit

Patients who wish to complete their application by mail may access the forms through the ADH website or by contacting 1-833-214-8619. Forms should be mailed along with your check/money order to:

Arkansas Department of Health, Medical Marijuana, 4815 W. Markham St., Slot 50, Little Rock, AR 72205.

Step 4: Wait for Approval and Receive Your Card

Within 14 days of receiving your application and payment, the ADH will process your application. While Arizona uses its all-digital registry, the state of Arkansas issues the registration ID through the mail at your address once it is approved.

After obtaining the ID, you are officially entitled to use the registered medical marijuana product from any dispensary in Arkansas.

An individual holding an Arkansas Medical Marijuana card can acquire up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana usable within a 14-day cycle from any dispensary.

A few important rules to keep in mind:

• Medical marijuana must be purchased from a licensed Arkansas dispensary – there are no exceptions under the law.
• Purchased cannabis must remain in the original dispensary packaging.
• Home cultivation is not permitted under Arkansas law, regardless of proximity to a dispensary.
• Your card is valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

A designated caregiver is allowed to acquire and use medical marijuana for a qualifying individual under the law. To qualify as a caregiver in the state of Arkansas, one should:

• Be above the age of 21
• Be a resident of Arkansas
• Not have any disqualifying criminal records (background check is mandatory)
• Pay a $37 fee for the caregiver application

The caregiver should be designated by the individual during the application process. A minor should be enrolled with either of his parents or a legal guardian as the caregiver.

The Arkansas medical cannabis cards are valid for one year. In order to renew the card, the patient needs a new doctor’s authorization form (which, for renewal purposes, can be issued by telemedicine). Also, you have to pay a fee of $50 for renewal using the ADH portal.

Key Things To Remember

• The ADH is the only authority that issues Arkansas medical marijuana cards – all patient applications go through their portal or by mail.
• Your physician certification is only valid for 30 days – submit your application promptly after receiving it.
• Initial evaluations must be done in person; telemedicine is allowed only for renewals.
• Home cultivation is not allowed in Arkansas under any circumstances.
• Active-duty military members and Arkansas National Guard members are ineligible to participate.