How to Qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas

As of 2026, the Arkansas Department of Health recognizes the following conditions as grounds for obtaining a medical marijuana card:

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
• Cancer
• Crohn’s Disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Intractable Pain (pain that has not responded to ordinary medications, treatment, or surgical measures for more than six months)
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Seizures (including those characteristic of Epilepsy)
• Severe and Persistent Muscle Spasms (including those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis)
• Severe Arthritis
• Severe Nausea
• Tourette’s Syndrome
• Ulcerative Colitis

Below is the list of the 18 conditions that are covered under Amendment 98. Citizens of Arkansas can file a petition with the ADH to add a new condition to the list. The petitions will have to be filed in writing, will cover just one condition, and will need to provide the relevant medical and scientific information regarding the condition. ADH has 120 days to either approve or reject the petition.

The requirements that need to be fulfilled for one to become a part of the medical marijuana registry in Arkansas are as follows:

• The applicant must be an adult patient and hence must be at least 18 years old.
• Children patients under 18 years of age may become a part of the program; however, it is through a designated caregiver. This caregiver will register through the ADH with the minor patient.
• Applicants must be a resident of the State of Arkansas, and this can be verified using the Arkansas Driver’s License.
• The applicant must submit a Physician Written Certification form signed by a duly licensed MD or DO in the State of Arkansas with DEA controlled substance registration.
• Members of the Arkansas National Guard and the United States Military are barred from having a patient or caregiver registry card. 

Unlike other states that offer the process free of charge, the state of Arkansas charges an application fee of $50 per the Arkansas Department of Health for the patient registry card. The same cost applies whether it is for the initial registration or renewal process. Moreover, it is also necessary for you to pay the cost of your doctor’s evaluation, which usually lies within the range of $100-$250, depending upon the provider.

When applying for your Arkansas medical marijuana registry card, you will need to have the following ready:

• A completed Physician Written Certification form signed by your Arkansas-licensed physician, submitted within 30 days of the date it was signed.
• A photocopy of the front of your current Arkansas driver’s license or ADH-issued state ID, clearly showing your name and address.
• Payment of the $50 non-refundable registration fee by check, money order, or debit/credit card (no American Express or cash).

After you get your Physician Written Certification signed and dated by your doctor, here’s what you should do next:

• Go ahead and register yourself at the Arkansas Medical Marijuana System website, located at mmj.adh.arkansas.gov.
• Start filling out your patient application form and attach both your signed certification and a copy of your Arkansas state driver’s license. Make sure you also pay the $50 registration fee.
• It should take the ADH approximately two weeks to process your application after they get it from you.
• If approved, use the portal again to print your digital card right away, or have your physical card mailed to you within one business day. 

Yes. The use of marijuana in Arkansas is completely legal for all registered patients and caregivers. With the dispensary’s operations from May 2019 to June 2026, there are about 115,000 registered patients in Arkansas. The distinction that Arkansas makes compared to many other states is that it has no recreational cannabis program in place. Therefore, the medical card is the only means to access cannabis legally.

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