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How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas (2026 Guide)
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas (2026 Guide)
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas in 2026
Here’s how to get a medical marijuana card in Arkansas: get a written certification from a physician, apply online with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), pay the $50 fee and print your card once you’re approved. ADH says applications take up to 14 days to process.
Recreational cannabis is not legal in Arkansas. Voters rejected adult use in 2022, so an Arkansas medical marijuana card is the only legal way to buy from a dispensary. More than 119,000 Arkansans held an active card as of October 2026.
This guide covers who qualifies, each step to get your Arkansas medical marijuana card, what it costs, and how Compassionate Clinics of America (CCA) makes it simple.
What Qualifies You for a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas?
You qualify for an Arkansas medical marijuana card if you’re an Arkansas resident with at least one of the state’s 18 qualifying conditions, certified by a physician. PTSD and intractable pain are the most common, together making up more than 60% of patient conditions in ADH’s latest annual report.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Intractable pain
- Severe arthritis
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms
- Fibromyalgia
- Severe nausea
- Cancer
- Seizures
- Glaucoma
- Hepatitis C
- Crohn’s disease
- Ulcerative colitis
- HIV/AIDS
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
ID: you’ll upload a copy of your Arkansas driver’s license or state ID.
Age: adults 18 and older apply on their own. Minors can qualify with a parent’s consent and a parent or guardian serving as caregiver.
Military: members of the Arkansas National Guard and the U.S. military can’t get an Arkansas registry ID card under state law.
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas with CCA: 4 Steps
- Book your certification with CCA. Schedule at mycompassionateclinic.com/get-a-card or call (888) 372-0325.
- Get your written certification. A CCA physician reviews your medical history and confirms your qualifying condition. Have your ID and any medical records about your condition ready. Your physician completes the official Arkansas Physician Written Certification.
- Apply online with ADH. Go to the ADH medical marijuana portal (mmj.adh.arkansas.gov), upload your written certification and a copy of your Arkansas driver’s license or state ID, and pay the $50 fee. The fee is non-refundable, so double-check everything before you submit.
- Print your card and shop. ADH says applications may take up to 14 days to process. Once you’re approved, print your own card and buy up to 2.5 ounces every 14 days at any licensed Arkansas dispensary.
How Much Is a Medical Marijuana Card in Arkansas?
An Arkansas medical marijuana card costs $199 for your first year with CCA: $149 for the certification and $50 for the state application. Renewing costs $149 a year: $99 with CCA plus the $50 state fee.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| CCA new patient certification | $149 |
| CCA renewal certification | $99 |
| ADH patient application or renewal (1 year) | $50 |
| ADH visiting patient card (90 days) | $50 |
| ADH caregiver application | $50, plus a $40 background check |
Is there a free medical marijuana card in Arkansas? No. Every patient needs a physician certification and pays the $50 state fee, which ADH doesn’t refund if your application is denied.
Do You Need a Medical Card in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas is a medical-only state, so you need an Arkansas medical marijuana card to buy at a dispensary. A card gives you:
- Legal access to cannabis from licensed Arkansas dispensaries
- Up to 2.5 ounces every 14 days, a limit set in the state constitution
- A caregiver option if you need someone to buy for you
- A legal option after Dec. 11, 2026, when the federal hemp THC ban takes delta-8, THCA flower and other intoxicating hemp products off store shelves
Why Get Your Arkansas Medical Card with CCA?
- Simple booking. Schedule online or by phone, and CCA’s physicians handle your written certification.
- Lower-cost renewals. Returning patients renew for $99.
- Money-back guarantee. CCA backs its certifications with a money-back guarantee (see terms when you book).
- Ongoing support. CCA offers follow-up visits whenever you need them.
Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card FAQ
How long does it take to get a medical marijuana card in Arkansas? ADH says applications may take up to 14 days to process, starting the day after it receives your application and payment. You print your card yourself once you’re approved.
How long is an Arkansas medical marijuana card good for? One year. Renew before it expires with a new written certification and the $50 renewal fee.
Can I get an Arkansas medical marijuana card online? The ADH application is online. Ask CCA when you book whether your certification visit can be done by telemedicine.
I’m visiting Arkansas. Can I use my card from another state? Visiting patients with a valid card from their home state can apply online for an Arkansas visiting patient card. It costs $50 and lasts 90 days.
Can I grow my own cannabis in Arkansas? No. Arkansas patients must buy from licensed dispensaries.
Can I own a gun with an Arkansas medical marijuana card? Federal law treats cannabis users as prohibited from buying firearms. Check out our Gun Rights Blog Article. Talk to a lawyer before applying if this affects you.
Get Your Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card Today
Ready to get started? Book your Arkansas certification with Compassionate Clinics of America at mycompassionateclinic.com/get-a-card or call (888) 372-0325.
Sources
- Arkansas Department of Health: Medical marijuana ($50 fee, 14-day processing, print your own card, visiting patients, caregiver fees, active cards as of Oct. 2026)
- ADH Medical Marijuana FY25 Annual Report (18 qualifying conditions and patient counts)
- UAMS: How to apply (documents, age, military exclusion, caregivers)
- NeuFutur, May 2026: Arkansas’s medical marijuana program in 2026 (1-year cards, 2.5 oz per 14 days, recreational status)
