Renew Your Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card

Next steps after approval

Congratulations on getting approved for your medical certification. Per state regulations, you must complete the state application within 30 days of certification.

Here’s a guide to what you need to do next for new patients (please note Leafwell only sees renewal patients at this time).

Before you start, have these supporting documents ready:

• Arkansas State ID (Arkansas driver’s license or Arkansas state ID issued by DMV)
• Physician Certification (only the ADH form)
• $50.00 debit or credit card payment (American Express not accepted)

Getting your Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card

1. Go to the Arkansas State website and click on ‘Apply Online.’
2. Click on ‘Patient Registration.’
   1. Enter your name and date of birth.
   2. Enter a valid email address and create a password.
   3. Write down/save your password (you will need it later).
   4. Check your email for a “Confirm Your Account” email (you may need to check trash or spam).
   5. Confirm your account.
3. Once confirmed, you can complete your application on the state website.
   1. Make sure you complete every box in the application.
   2. Don’t forget your SSN, Military Status, or signature (using your finger or mouse and sign in the box).
   3. You will need to upload the following:
      1. State ID (take a picture and upload it).
      2. Physician Certification (you can use the PDF version).
4. Finish and Pay.
5. Check on the status of your application in 14 days. If approved, print your card. If you do not print your card, it will be printed and mailed to you. Registry ID card application fees are non-refundable.
6. Your registry identification card from the Arkansas Department of Health will be valid for one year from the date it is issued OR the amount of time designated by the physician.
7. Once you have received your registry ID card, you are ready to purchase products from a licensed medical cannabis pharmacy. To purchase medical cannabis, you must bring your medical cannabis card and a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license, with you to the pharmacy.

Please note: You have 30 days from the date of your certification to complete the state application. Failure to do so may result in additional fees.

How to renew your MMJ card

Leafwell can only provide telehealth renewals for patients registered with the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Patient Registry System.

1. Create an account or sign in to Leafwell.
2. See a licensed physician online, get approved, and download your physician certification.*
3. Log into your existing Arkansas Medical Marijuana System account to submit your state application within 30 days.**
4. Receive your medical card from the state in 10-14 days and legally purchase cannabis from a licensed dispensary. The certification is valid for one  year.

*To comply with state regulations, you may be contacted twice during the recertification process.

Please note: Patients should renew their card 30 days before expiry to avoid incurring additional fees.

Next steps after renewal

Congratulations on renewing your medical certification. Per state regulations, you must complete the state application within 30 days of certification.

Before you start, have these supporting documents ready:

• Arkansas State ID (Arkansas driver’s license or Arkansas state ID issued by DMV)
• Physician Certification (only the ADH form)
• $50.00 debit or credit card payment (American Express not accepted)

Renewing your Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card:

1. Go to the Arkansas State website and click on ‘Apply Online.’
2. Click on ‘Login.
   1. ‘Use your email and password to log in.
   2. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it here.
3. Once logged in, you can complete your application on the state website.
   1. Make sure you complete every box in the application.
   2. Don’t forget your SSN, Military Status, or to sign (using your finger or mouse and sign in the box).
   3. You will need to upload the following:
      1. State ID (take a picture and upload it)
      2. Leafwell Physician Certification (you can use the PDF version)
4. Finish and Pay
5. Check on the status of your application in 14 days. If approved, print your card. If you do not print your card, it will be printed and mailed to you. Registry ID card application fees are non-refundable.
6. Your registry identification card from the Arkansas Department of Health will be valid for one year from the date it is issued OR the amount of time designated by the physician.
7. Once you have received your registry ID card, you are ready to purchase products from a licensed medical cannabis pharmacy. To purchase medical cannabis, you must bring your medical cannabis card and a valid form of photo identification, such as a driver’s license, with you to the pharmacy.
   Please note: You have 30 days from the date of your certification to complete the state application. Failure to do so may result in additional fees.

Legal limitations for Arkansas cardholders

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment legalized medical marijuana for patients in 2016. Navigating the legal landscape can be tricky, but we’re here to break it down for you. Here are some key points you should be aware of if you have a medical marijuana ID card in Arkansas:

Possession Limits: Arkansas residents with a medical marijuana card can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis every 14 days. The card proves that you can legally possess, transport, and consume medical marijuana products.

Product Availability: Dispensaries will stock a range of medical marijuana products, including tinctures, oils, dry flower, creams, edibles, and plant material used in vaporizers. You can consult your healthcare provider to discuss which products may work best for your needs.

Minor Restrictions: Medical marijuana patients under 21 may be restricted from smokable forms of cannabis.

Cultivation Not Allowed: It is not legal to cultivate cannabis plants in Arkansas, even for qualifying medical marijuana patients or their caregivers.

CBD and Delta 8: Hemp-derived cannabinoids manufactured from CBD, such as delta-8 THC, have been banned in the state. Though, CBD remains legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.

In Person Certification Required: New patients cannot use telemedicine to obtain a medical cannabis card in Arkansas at this time. In-person visits are required to establish a provider-patient relationship.

How to become a caregiver in Arkansas

If you’re looking to become a medical marijuana caregiver for a medical marijuana patient in Arkansas there are some important rules and steps to follow.

Caregiver Requirements:

• Caregivers must be at least 21 years of age and an Arkansas resident with proof of residency (an Arkansas driver’s license or state ID card).
• The individual being cared for must be physically disabled or a minor. They must have a current medical marijuana card.
• Caregivers must complete a criminal background check without convictions for excluded felony offenses.
  • Parents of a minor qualifying patient are not required to complete a criminal history check. The parent will still register as a caregiver and pay the non-refundable ID card application fee.
• State law prohibits members of the Arkansas National Guard and the United States military from obtaining a registry ID card.
• A caregiver may also be a registered qualifying patient.
• A caregiver may serve more than one patient, and patients may have more than one caregiver.
• A caregiver must apply for a registry card for each patient.

Can you use an Arkansas medical card in other states?

Limited reciprocity is available to visiting qualifying patients. To qualify, the patient:

• Must not be a resident of Arkansas (or has resided in Arkansas for fewer than 30 days).
• Must have been diagnosed with a medical condition recognized under the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act.
• Must possess a medical marijuana registration card or its equivalent issued under another state’s laws. (Note: Louisiana residents will need the pharmacy label with the name and expiration date or their medical marijuana doctor’s approval letter/recommendation letter. Texas residents will need their licensed medical marijuana doctor’s approval letters or recommendation letters.)

The out-of-state registration card has the same force and effect as a card issued in Arkansas, except the visiting qualifying patient may not purchase medical marijuana in Arkansas.

The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

• Arizona
• Arkansas *
• Delaware
• Hawaii *
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey *
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma *
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah * (up to two 21-day periods in a calendar year)
• Washington, D.C.

*Visitors must complete a visiting patient application with the state program.

Minor patient information

All patients under the age of 18 require the legal guardian or parent to register as a caregiver. See the Caregivers section for requirements.

Minor Patient Requirements:

• All patients under the age of 18 must have a caregiver (parent/legal guardian).
• Both the caregiver and patient must be present during the consultation.

Minor and Caregiver Registration (State):

• Parents of a minor with a qualifying condition do not need to complete the Criminal History Check, unlike other caregivers. However, they must still register as the caregiver and pay the $50 registry card application fee.
• Minor patients and caregivers can apply online (preferred) or mail in the application.

State Medical Marijuana Resources (FAQ, forms, apply online) found here

Where to buy medical marijuana in Arkansas

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment 98 allows patients to receive cannabis from regulated dispensaries. Currently, there are a total of 38 dispensaries registered in the state of Arkansas. Patients with an Arkansas medical marijuana card can purchase products from these dispensaries.

Visit the AMMC for more information on where to buy medical cannabis.