Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card Guide: Documents, Application & Renewal

2 documents needed to apply for an Arkansas medical marijuana card

You’ll need to provide the following to apply for a medical marijuana card in Arkansas:

Medical Marijuana Certification You will receive your Physician Written Certification once approved by a Kif Doctors provider.

Proof of Identity & Residency Arkansas Driver’s License or Arkansas State ID card issued by the DMV. Arkansas requires proof of residency, so an out-of-state ID will not be accepted for resident applications.

Next steps after approval

Congratulations on getting approved for your medical certification!

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) recommends applying online through the Arkansas Medical Marijuana System (AMMsys), as online applications are preferred and processed faster.

Here’s a guide on exactly what you need to do next!

Before you start, have these supporting documents ready:

Kif Doctors Physician Written Certification Form

• This must be a current, valid certification signed by your Arkansas-licensed physician
• A new certification is required for each application; a previous certification cannot be reused for a renewal

Digital photo (plain, pale background, no glasses/hats, top of head and top of shoulders in shot, clear photo)

Proof of Identity / Residency (required)

• Unexpired Arkansas driver’s license or Arkansas State ID card – front of the card, in color
• Must show you are an Arkansas resident

Optional – supporting documentation

• Documentation supporting any fee considerations, if applicable

Debit or Credit card for the application fee (the state portal accepts credit/debit; American Express is not accepted)

Getting Your Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card

1. Register an account for the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Program.
2. Go to the AMMsys portal at the Arkansas Department of Health and click “Patient Registration” to apply for a card.
3. Enter a valid email address and create your account login.
4. Verify your email address if prompted, then create a new password.
5. Sign in to begin a NEW patient application.
6. Start your patient application from the dashboard.
7. Review the Application Instructions and the list of required documentation, then continue.
8. Enter your personal information. The mailing address you provide is where your patient ID card will be sent if you request a physical copy.
9. Select your identity document type and enter the requested information.
10. Upload your Proof of Identity (Arkansas driver’s license or state ID), in color.
11. Upload a digital photograph for your patient ID card. Adjust the photo as needed.
12. Enter the information printed on your Kif Doctors Physician Written Certification Form.
13. Upload your Kif Doctors Physician Written Certification Form.
14. If you qualify for any supporting status, select “Yes” and upload supporting documentation.
15. Complete the Attestations section.
16. Review your application. You can review each page to confirm the information is correct.
17. Make Payment. Review your fee breakdown and payment options on the payment page. The state application fee is $50 (non-refundable).
18. Enter your payment information, then continue.
19. Confirm your payment information is correct and submit your payment.
20. The screen will confirm your submission. You can visit the dashboard to check your status and view your payments. You do NOT need to mail your application because it was submitted electronically. You will receive a submission confirmation and payment receipt via email.
21. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by the ADH.
22. If approved, you can log into your AMMsys account and print your own card immediately. If you request a physical card, it will be mailed to you.
23. If an application is incomplete or contains errors, it will be returned with the reason(s). Log back into your account to make corrections and resubmit.
24. Purchase medical marijuana products from a state-licensed dispensary. Present your medical marijuana identification card and a photo ID any time you purchase medical marijuana at a dispensary.

Please note: Allow up to 14 days for processing, beginning the day after the ADH receives your application and payment. Incomplete applications or applications with errors will be returned and take longer.

Tip: Payment processing on the state portal is deactivated each Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to midnight for system maintenance, so plan submissions accordingly. The ADH recommends using a current browser such as Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.

How to renew your Arkansas medical marijuana card

It’s quick and easy to renew your Arkansas medical marijuana card with Kif Doctors. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Sign in to your Kif Doctors account or register as a renewal patient.
2. Speak to an Arkansas-licensed physician (telemedicine is available for renewal patients in Arkansas).
3. Get approved and receive your new Physician Written Certification Form.
4. Log into your AMMsys account to submit your renewal application and the $50 application fee.
5. After your application is submitted, you’ll receive your new card. You can print a copy from your account once approved, or request a physical card by mail.

You can renew your card up to 60 days before your expiration date. A new Physician Written Certification is required for each renewal — your previous certification cannot be used.

Next steps after renewal

After receiving your Kif Doctors certification, complete your renewal with the state.

Here’s a guide on what to do next.

Renewing Your Arkansas Medical Marijuana Card

1. Go to the AMMsys portal and click “Login” to start your renewal.
2. Sign in with the same email address you used to create your AMMsys account. If you are renewing with a new or different email address, contact the Medical Marijuana Section before proceeding.
3. Start your renewal from the patient dashboard.
4. Review the Application Instructions and the list of required documentation, then continue.
5. Update your personal information as needed. The mailing address is where your patient ID card will be sent if you request a physical copy.
6. Select your identity document type and enter the requested information.
7. Upload your Proof of Identity (Arkansas driver’s license or state ID), in color.
8. Upload a digital photograph for your patient ID card. Adjust the photo as needed.
9. Enter the information printed on your Kif Doctors Physician Written Certification Form.
10. Upload your new Kif Doctors Physician Written Certification Form.
11. If you qualify for any supporting status, select “Yes” and upload supporting documentation.
12. Complete the Attestations section.
13. Review your renewal application page by page.
14. Make Payment. Review your fee breakdown and payment options. The renewal fee is $50 (non-refundable).
15. Enter your payment information, then continue.
16. Confirm your payment information is correct and submit your payment.
17. The screen will confirm your submission. You can visit the dashboard to check your status. You do NOT need to mail your application because it was submitted electronically. You will receive a submission confirmation and payment receipt via email.
18. Once submitted, the ADH will review your renewal. It may take up to 14 days to process from the date the ADH receives your application and payment.
19. If approved, log in to print your card or receive your physical card by mail.
20. If an application is incomplete or contains errors, it will be returned with the reason(s). Log back into your account to make corrections.

Please note: When your card expires, the legal protection offered by the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment also expires. You may still submit your renewal application, but you will not be able to purchase medical marijuana until your renewal card is issued — so renew early.

Legal limitations for cardholders

Arkansas’s medical marijuana program was established in 2016 with the passage of Amendment 98, the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment. Medical cannabis patients may purchase and possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana per 14-day period from a state-licensed dispensary.

Under Arkansas medical marijuana law, patients with a card generally have the right to:

• Be diagnosed and certified for a qualifying medical condition and access medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries.
• Have their registry information kept confidential and exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
• Designate a caregiver to obtain and administer medical marijuana on their behalf.

However, an Arkansas medical marijuana patient identification card does not necessarily give you the right to:

• Use or possess marijuana at your place of employment without recourse. Employers do not have to allow marijuana use at work or working while impaired.
• Work, live, or learn somewhere that could face loss of a monetary or licensing benefit under federal law due to your patient status. Some federal jobs and positions requiring a commercial driver’s license may clash with federal law.
• Grow your own marijuana — home cultivation remains illegal in Arkansas for patients and caregivers. Only licensed cultivation facilities may grow cannabis.
• Sell, give, or transfer your medical marijuana to anyone else.
• Own a firearm — federal law prohibits possession of firearms by individuals who use marijuana, including medical cardholders.
• Use medical marijuana in prohibited places such as schools, daycare centers, public transportation, correctional facilities, healthcare facilities, and public places.
• Drive, operate a boat, or operate an aircraft while under the influence.

Members of the Arkansas National Guard and the United States military are not eligible for an Arkansas medical marijuana registry ID card.

Recreational cannabis remains illegal in Arkansas. Insurance does not cover medical cannabis or related services; these costs are the patient’s responsibility.

How to become a caregiver in Arkansas

Caregiver licenses are available to family members or assistants who look after a medical marijuana patient. A caregiver may buy, transport, possess (up to 2.5 ounces on the patient’s behalf), and assist in administering medical marijuana to a licensed patient. A caregiver cannot consume medical marijuana that was dispensed on behalf of a patient.

To qualify as a caregiver in Arkansas, you generally must:

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Be an Arkansas resident with proof of residency (Arkansas driver’s license or state ID).
• Not have a disqualifying felony conviction.
• Complete a Criminal History Check (a $37 fee applies for regular caregivers).
• Apply for a registry card for each patient and pay the non-refundable application fee.

A caregiver may serve more than one patient, and a patient may have more than one caregiver.

Minor patient information

Minors (anyone under 18) cannot purchase or possess cannabis on their own. A parent or legal guardian must apply as the minor’s caregiver.

Parents of a minor with a qualifying condition do not need to complete a Criminal History Check, but the parent must still register as a caregiver and pay the non-refundable registry card application fee. Minor patients also require parent/legal guardian consent.

Can I use my Arkansas medical cannabis card in other states?

Arkansas offers limited reciprocity to visiting patients from other states. To qualify as a visiting out-of-state patient, you must:

• Not be an Arkansas resident (or have lived in Arkansas for fewer than 30 days).
• Hold a valid medical marijuana card or its equivalent from your home state.
• Have been approved for a condition that is also a qualifying condition under the Arkansas program.

Visiting patients must apply online and print their own card. Note: Louisiana residents need the pharmacy label with their name and expiration date, or their doctor’s recommendation/approval letter. Texas residents need their physician’s approval or recommendation letter.

If you are an Arkansas cardholder traveling out of state, several states that practice medical marijuana reciprocity may recognize a valid out-of-state medical card. States commonly cited as honoring out-of-state cards include:

• Arizona
• Hawaii *
• Maine
• Michigan (at the dispensary’s discretion)
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma *
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands *
• Utah *
• Washington, D.C.

*Visitors may need to complete a visiting patient application with that state’s program.

Reciprocity rules change frequently and vary by state and dispensary, so always confirm a state’s current policy before you travel.