Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana Card in Arizona

How Many Medical Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Treatment in Arizona?

The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act clearly identifies nine qualifying conditions as well as any unnamed condition presenting with, or whose treatment causes, five specific severe symptoms.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Arizona 2023

In Arizona, medical marijuana card applicants must be diagnosed with one or more of the following qualifying conditions:

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Agitation of Alzheimer's disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Cancer
• Crohn's Disease
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition, or the treatment for a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition, that causes:
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Severe and chronic pain
• Severe nausea
• Seizures, including those caused by epilepsy
• Severe or persistent muscle spasms including those caused by multiple sclerosis

Does Arizona Add New Qualifying Conditions to its Medical Marijuana Program?

Yes. Arizona makes provisions for expanding its list of medical cannabis qualifying conditions. It expanded the list on January 1, 2015 by adding PTSD as a qualifying condition. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) accepts written requests for new additions in January and July of each calendar year. It accepts such petitions from the public and weighs the evidence presented to support the benefits of medical cannabis use for proposed additions.

Does Arizona Allow Physicians to Recommend Medical Cannabis for Non-Qualifying Conditions?

No. Arizona does not allow physicians to recommend medical cannabis for unlisted conditions even if they deem such conditions debilitating. Note that a disease causing severe pain, muscle spasms, seizures, nausea or cachexia directly, or as a result of its treatment, is regarded as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis use.

Do You Need a Doctor’s Recommendation for Medical Marijuana in Arizona?

Yes, Arizona requires a medical practitioner to confirm a diagnosis for a qualifying condition and issue a medical marijuana certification for an eligible to legally access medical cannabis in the state. Arizona only accepts certifications from state-licensed Allopathic (MD), Osteopathic (DO), Homeopathic [MD(H) or DO(H)], and Naturopathic (NMD or ND) physicians. A certifying physician must maintain a prior physician-patient relationship with the patient they are recommending for medical cannabis treatment.

Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card in Arizona?

Besides a diagnosis of one of the qualifying conditions and a certification from a physician with a valid Arizona license, the state also has age and residency requirements for those applying for its medical marijuana card. Arizona requires applicants to be 18 years or older. Minors can apply only if they have the consent of their parents or legal guardians, who must be named on their application. Arizona only issues medical cannabis cards to eligible applicants who are also residents of the state.