Arkansas has put us through quite a journey these past few years regarding its telehealth regulations. If you’re an AR resident, you know just how confusing these rules have become — particularly for medical marijuana patients. Thankfully, The Natural State has changed its minds once again, finally allowing you to renew your MMJ card- allowing holders better access to their medical cannabis.
With this, we can officially say that Elevate Holistics can, once again, renew your Arkansas medical card.
Renew Your Arkansas MMJ Card: Telemedicine Regulations
In the state of Arkansas, cannabis access hasn’t always been the best. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, cardholders are required to get a written certification from the doctor in order to verify they qualify for medical marijuana. With the keyword here being “written,” this excluded the option of telehealth platforms just like Elevate Holistics.
However, during the midst of the pandemic, AR finally loosened up on its regulations. For a short time, they allowed patients to get their MMJ cards online, as digital certifications had the same credence as written ones. It was during this time that Arkansas residents finally saw the cannabis access they long deserved.
As you can imagine, though, this didn’t last long.
In mid-2021, Arkansas amended its telehealth regulations, once again requiring a “written” certification and prohibiting telemedicine appointments. For several months, patients who relied on telehealth platforms were left in the dark, unsure of what to do next — if they even had options.
What to know about the Arkansas MMJ Card Application
In order to be eligible for an Arkansas MMJ card, you must be 18 years old or older and be diagnosed with a qualifying condition. These conditions include cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Tourette syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and severe arthritis.
You can also obtain and renew your Arkansas MMJ card due to any other chronic or debilitating medical condition that produces one or more of the following symptoms: cachexia or wasting syndrome; peripheral neuropathy; intractable pain; severe nausea; seizures; severe and persistent muscle spasms; agitation related to Alzheimer’s disease; multiple sclerosis. You must also be able to provide proof of residency in the state of Arkansas.
Getting Started With The Application Process
The first step towards obtaining an Arkansas MMJ card is to visit your physician and get a written certification from them that certifies you have one of the qualifying conditions listed above. Once you have that certification in hand, you can start the application process online at the Department of Health website.
During this process you will upload your medical records as well as your physician’s written certification and pay an application fee of $50. Once everything has been submitted online successfully, it typically takes 7-14 business days for your application to be processed and approved by the Department of Health. You will then receive your ID card via mail within 7-10 business days after it has been approved by the Department of Health.
You can renew your Arkansas MMJ card up to 60 days prior to expiration but keep in mind that if it expires before renewal is complete then you may be subject to additional fees/penalties upon renewal.
Checking Your Arkansas MMJ Card Application Status
Arkansas’s medical marijuana program is a state-regulated program that allows registered patients with qualifying medical conditions to purchase medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries. The first step in getting an Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card is to apply. Once you have submitted your application, you can check its status online by visiting the Arkansas Department of Health’s website.
When you visit the website, look for the “Medical Marijuana Registry” tab at the top of the page and click on it. This will take you to a page where you can enter your Last Name, Date of Birth, and Social Security Number in order to log into your account and view your application information and status. You should also keep in mind that if your application is still being processed, it may take up to 30 days before it is approved or denied.
It’s important to note that if there is any information missing from your application or if additional documents are needed, then more time may be required for processing. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure all information requested on the application form is provided accurately and completely before submitting it in order to avoid any delays in processing. Additionally, if there are changes or updates that need to be made after submitting your application (such as a change of address), then contact staff at Arkansas Dept of Health as soon as possible so they can update their records accordingly.
AR’s Decision to Allow Telemedicine Renewals
Recently, Arkansas made another amendment toward their decision surrounding telemedicine for existing patients. The state has deemed it acceptable to utilize telemedicine services during the pandemic as long as you have already established yourself as a medical marijuana patient.
It’s key to recognize that, if you haven’t already gotten your medical card in AR, you will not be able to do so online. However, if you’re an existing Arkansas medical marijuana patient and your card is set to expire soon, the state now allows you to renew your Arkansas MMJ card online.
Of course, this is wonderful news for Arkansas cardholders. You’ll now be able to renew your card as effortlessly as ever, relying purely on telemedicine platforms like Elevate Holistics’ to handle the complicated parts.
Unfortunately for new patients, decisions like these only make cannabis access more difficult. If you’re someone who lives outside of town or has accessibility complications, traveling to a cannabis doctor to get your certification isn’t just a trip to the grocery store — it’s a whole day’s affair. We can only hope that these regulations change (again) in the future, allowing residents from all over the state to gain access to reputable medical cannabis physicians.
Renew Your Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card Online With Elevate Holistics
If you are a current Arkansas medical marijuana patient, you’re in luck. Here at Elevate Holistics, we’re happy to announce that AR renewals are back. You can sit down with us and renew your Arkansas MMJ card for only $75 — a fee much lower than most doctors charge. Typically, your renewal appointments can cost you anywhere from $100 – $250, taking a nice chunk of change from your pocket.
Save yourself some money and get an appointment with Elevate Holistics. We make the renewal process practically effortless, and you don’t even have to leave your house to get it done. Simply put, we offer the most accessible platform to get your updated Arkansas medical marijuana card.
Once again, we’re bummed we cannot help out new, prospective AR MMJ patients, and we recognize the difficulty that regulations like these create. However, we will continue to stand with our cannabis community, and the moment we’re able to serve all residents again, we will.
If you’re an existing AR MMJ patient, book your renewal appointment using the scheduler below.
