How to get a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas in 2020 during Covid

November 2016 marked a milestone in Arkansas’s medical history with the passing of the bill that legalized the use of medical marijuana. This bill then led to the creation of the Medical Marijuana Commission that currently oversees the whole system of licensing and regulating the cultivation, distribution, and dispensing of medical cannabis within the state. However, it wasn’t until June 2017 when registration for a medical marijuana card was opened for patients who are diagnosed with a debilitating condition.

While applying for an mmj card was considerably easy and straightforward, the past few months of 2020 proved to be different. With the outbreak of COVID-19, and despite the surprising spike in medical marijuana sales in the midst of this pandemic, the government of Arkansas and the Arkansas Department of Health had to take necessary steps to minimize the effects of the pandemic on the state’s residents. To prevent any further increase in the number of cases or fatalities, the governor issued an executive order allowing online consultations instead of in-person visits. There are other adjustments to some regulations such as the extension of the validity of existing medical marijuana cards that are set to expire within 30 days.

As MMJCCC’s response to the government’s call, we have optimized our telehealth services and made telemedicine readily available for patients who need assistance processing their medical marijuana card during times of health emergencies like COVID-19. With telemedicine, consultations with our compassionate physicians will be done online or over the phone.

If you are over 18 years of age, a legal resident of the state of Arkansas, and need medical marijuana for your condition, we can guide you in completing your application for a medical marijuana card with these three easy steps:

1. Complete Your Doctor’s Certification

Only patients who are diagnosed with a qualifying condition may apply for a medical marijuana card. The list of qualifying conditions includes:

ALS
Alzheimer’s disease
Cachexia/Wasting syndrome
Cancer
Crohn’s disease
Fibromyalgia
Glaucoma
Hepatitis C
HIV/AIDS
Intractable pain that hasn’t responded to traditional forms of treatment over a period of six months
PTSD
Seizures (e.g., associated with epilepsy)
Severe and persistent muscle spasms (e.g., associated with MS)
Severe arthritis
Severe nausea
Tourette’s syndrome
Ulcerative colitis

To get certified for a medical marijuana card, prepare your medical records indicating that you have been diagnosed with one of the above-mentioned conditions. Then, schedule a consultation with a state-licensed physician to have your records reviewed.

Make sure to present a copy of the diagnosis and the physician certification form which may be downloaded from the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).

After discussing your condition and the feasibility of medical marijuana use as a method of treatment, the registered physician will recommend a treatment program using medical marijuana. The same physician will then sign your certification form, which you must submit when you complete your application online.

If you have any difficulty looking for a registered healthcare provider, our services are open to assist you with your certification. In fact, we will not only connect you with a qualified physician, but we will also make sure you talk to a specialist who can discuss your condition and treatment options. Our medical professionals always go the extra mile and will be there to assist you in completing your application.

2. Submit Your Online Application

After getting certified by a healthcare practitioner, the next step to the process is completing your online application.

Although applications may also be submitted by mail, a more convenient way is going online, especially with the onset of the coronavirus (COVID) disease. Simply visit the ADH website, fill out the registration form, and attach the required documents such as:

Proof of your legal residency, which may be one of the following:

o Your Arkansas state ID card, or

o Driver’s license issued in the state of Arkansas

Scanned copy of your doctor’s certification form

Complete your online application by paying the non-refundable $50 annual fee. You may use a debit card or a credit card to make the payment.

You may access the ADH website through this link: http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/medical-marijuana

3. Wait For Your Card

Medical marijuana card applications are processed in the order they are received and usually take 10-14 days.

If your application gets approved, you will be added to the registry of medical marijuana patients and a digital card will be emailed to you. Print this card to start using it at registered dispensaries. If you are unable to print the card, you can wait for your physical card in the mail.

Schedule an appointment with us to start processing your medical marijuana ID card. We understand the gravity of this health crisis and would like to help ensure that you get all the medical support that you need.

If you need assistance with application, we have dedicated professionals that can assist you every step of the way. If you need access to dispensaries, we can refer you to local medical cannabis facilities that can provide you the right medical marijuana and medical marijuana products for your condition. We’re only a click away. Book now and start living with a renewed sense of health and wellbeing.