Ten years ago, navigating Arizona law to get your medical card in the Grand Canyon State was no walk in the park. But, these days, telehealth companies like Elevate Holistics have made the process easier — and more beneficial — by streamlining the Arizona medical marijuana program.
Here’s how to get a medical marijuana card in AZ in just three steps.
The Cannabis Industry in Arizona
Arizona’s cannabis industry has been booming for a while. Arizona medical marijuana laws, established in 2010, allow residents with qualifying conditions to access high-quality MMJ products. The state legalized medical marijuana back in 2010, allowing residents with qualifying conditions to get their hands on high-quality MMJ products.
With hundreds of thousands of medical marijuana patients in the state, Arizona quickly began establishing medical marijuana dispensaries from corner to corner.
This continued for a decade until the state finally voted to legalize recreational cannabis in 2020.
The passing of the Smart and Safe Act meant that adults 21 and older could enter a dispensary and purchase products legally.
Since then, the cannabis industry in AZ has exploded, and dispensaries across the state cater to both medical marijuana patients and recreational consumers.
Though, as we will touch on later, the shops still prioritize medical marijuana cardholders.
Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card in AZ?
Unfortunately, not everyone will qualify for medical marijuana in Arizona. However, companies like ours work tirelessly to ensure that everyone who is interested in an MMJ card gets one.
Still, here are the qualifications for an AZ medical marijuana card in the sunny state of Arizona:
Be at least 18 years old (minors require a designated caregiver).
Be a resident of Arizona with a valid form of identification.
Have a qualifying medical condition recognized by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS).
Qualifying medical conditions include chronic pain, cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, PTSD, Crohn’s disease, severe nausea, conditions causing severe muscle spasms, and more.
Thankfully, patients with other debilitating medical conditions may also qualify if a licensed physician determines that cannabis could provide therapeutic relief.
Let’s say you qualify for medical marijuana: so, how do you get a medical card in AZ? We’ll talk about that next.
Qualifying Medical Conditions in Arizona
In Arizona, a variety of medical conditions qualify for a medical marijuana card. These include serious ailments such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis C.
Conditions like Lou Gehrig’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and severe and chronic pain also make the list. Patients suffering from seizures, severe nausea, persistent muscle spasms, and Tourette’s syndrome can also qualify.
Moreover, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), as well as autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, are recognized. Parkinson’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are also included, along with terminal cancer.
To qualify, these conditions must be diagnosed by a licensed physician, who will then provide a medical certification. This certification is a crucial step in applying for a medical marijuana card in Arizona.
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in AZ — Online!
Getting a medical marijuana card in Arizona with Elevate Holistics is as easy as 1, 2, 3 — literally. Medical marijuana cards provide patients with legal access to cannabis products.
Our telehealth process ensures a smooth, quick appointment; but, don’t be afraid to ask any canna-questions you have.
Here are the three simple steps to getting your medical card in AZ through Elevate Holistics.
Step 1: Book a telehealth appointment
The first step to getting your AZ medical card is booking a telehealth appointment for a time and date that works best for you. You can use the button at the bottom of the blog or the Book Now button in the top right corner of your screen.
Once you’ve booked, we will send you a detailed email regarding your next steps, as well as the link to your virtual appointment that you’ll follow during your appointment time.
Step 2: Meet with our MMJ doctor
Next, you’ll meet with one of our expert medical marijuana doctors during your appointment time. This can be over the phone or computer: whatever is most comfortable for you!
These appointments only take a few minutes, so you don’t have to worry about them intruding on your busy schedule.
Here, the doctor will inquire about your medical records and health history to see if you qualify for medical cannabis or not. If you do, they will upload a copy of your MMJ recommendation to your Elevate Holistics profile.
And, if you don’t qualify, you get your money back.
Step 3: Register with the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program (Or let us do it for you!)
Once you’ve received your approval recommendation from our MMJ doctor, it’s time to register with Arizona’s medical marijuana program.
You’ll head over to the ADHS website and create a profile. Then, you’ll follow the prompts and upload your recommendation. Finally, you will pay the state fee of $150.
But, if you don’t want to tackle this step on your own, you don’t have to. By booking Elevate Holistics’ full-service add-on, our experts will handle the registration process ourselves. All you have to do is create a profile and pay the state fee.
After this, you’ll wait for approval from the state. As soon as you get your AZ medical marijuana card in the mail, you can start shopping and purchase cannabis at your new favorite dispensary.
Necessary Paperwork and Documentation
Before you start the medical marijuana registration process, you want to make sure you have all of the proper paperwork and documentation.
Here’s what you’ll need to apply for your medical marijuana card in Arizona:
Medical records confirming a diagnosis of a qualifying condition.
Physician’s certification from a licensed Arizona doctor recommending cannabis use.
Proof of Arizona residency, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or utility bill.
Completed application submitted through the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) online portal.
Application fee, which varies based on patient status (discounts available for SNAP recipients).
If Weed’s Legal, Why Get a Medical Card?
We mentioned earlier that both medical marijuana and recreational marijuana are legal in Arizona. So, why get a medical card, then?
Unsurpisingly, medical marijuana patients recieve a lot more benefits than recreational consumers.
Recreational consumers are subject to a 16% excise tax and 5.6% sales tax on their marijuana products.
Medical marijuana patients, on the other hand, only have to pay sales tax on their products.
This means that you’ll be paying, on average, 16% less on your products than a recreational consumer. And that makes a huge difference in your final total.
Along with paying less in taxes, medical marijuana patients receive special dispensary discounts just for being valid cardholders. The discount depends on the dispensary, but many offer anywhere from 10-20% off every purchase for medical patients.
So, if you’re ready to save money, buy better products, and enjoy legal protections, getting your medical marijuana card from Elevate Holistics is the way to go.
Save Money, Smoke Better Weed With Elevate Holistics
If you’ve ever been on the fence about how to get a medical marijuana card in AZ, now’s the time. Our experts are here to answer any questions you may have, and we’ll walk you through every step of the process.
Elevate Holistics offers some of the lowest prices for medical cards in the industry, and we’re proud to be the most convenient telehealth practice in the industry.
But, don’t just take our word for it! Book an appointment below and see for yourself just how many benefits you get as a medical marijuana cardholder.
Psst! As a blog reader, you get an exclusive discount on your appointments! Use the code BLOG5 at checkout to get extra money off your booking.
