Eligibility for Medical Marijuana in Arizona

Medical weed is legal in Arizona, and pot dispensaries will crop up all over the state, but just who will qualify for medical marijuana certification cards, and how will the program work?

Arizona Proposition 203 passed on November 10, 2010. Prop 203 Legalized medical marijuana for certain patients ("qualified patients"). The passage of Prop 203 brings much needed relief for suffering patients across the state, but there are rules for qualification to use medical weed.

Who is In Charge of Medical Marijuana in Arizona?

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is in charge of regulating the distribution of medical marijuana. As such, ADHS will be able to approve, renew, and revoke qualification for legal pot usage.

Proof of Eligibility for Medical Weed Usage in Arizona

ADHS will issue medical marijuana certification cards to patients who submit a physician's documented opinion that he/she will benefit from using weed for pain management and/or to alleviate other symptoms.

The doctor's written opinion must be submitted along with an official application. Qualifying patients under 18 would need to have the professional opinions of at least two physicians, and the application will need to be submitted by their parent or legal guardian.

Who Qualifies for Medical Pot in Arizona?

According to Proposition 203, a "qualifying patient" is an individual who has been medically diagnosed as having one of the following debilitating diseases or conditions:

Cancer

Glaucoma

HIV

AIDS

Hepatitis C

Crohn's Disease

Alzheimer 's Disease

The above list is not all-inclusive. Prop 203 further classifies a "qualifying patient" as having a chronic medical condition that produces any of the following symptoms:

Cachexia

Severe Pain

Severe Nausea

Seizures

Muscle Spasms

Currently, Prop 203 allows qualified patients to smoke medical marijuana only in their homes, but they can consume edibles in public places.

How Much Medical Marijuana Can Patients Buy & Where Can They Buy It?

A qualified patient with a valid certification card can purchase up to 2.5 ounces of medical weed in a 14-day period. The patient can either grow their own weed (with certain restrictions), designate a caregiver to grow it for them (with certain restrictions), or utilize a weed dispensary.

In addition to medical pot, weed dispensaries will also be allowed to sell marijuana-infused edibles. Weed dispensaries will not be open for business until the latter part of 2011.

For more information about Arizona's legalization of medical marijuana, go to the Proposition 203 homepage.

http://www.azdhs.gov/prop203/index.htm