If you are a caregiver, some of your patients may require medical marijuana. In order to be able to pick up this medication, you will need a medical marijuana card. This card gives you the ability to legally grow and possess certain amounts of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
If you are a caregiver who is interested in obtaining an MMJ card in Arizona, you should understand the AZ MMJ caregiver requirements.
Basic Requirements
Along with being comfortable helping patients use marijuana or cannabis products, caregivers seeking an MMJ card must be at least 21 years old, have a verifiable Arizona address, and have a valid ID.
Card seekers must also successfully pass a background check.
Incidents involving law enforcement may prevent you from becoming a marijuana caregiver or getting an MMJ card in Arizona. Certain drug convictions may block certification or a conviction for a violent crime. A conviction for other crimes may also prevent you from getting an MMJ card.
You may be interested to learn that AZ MMJ caregiver requirements do not include being a professional caregiver, physician, or licensed healthcare worker.
The Primary Requirement
Whether you possess an MMJ card or not, you cannot designate yourself as a marijuana caregiver. The patient or person under your care must name you as their MMJ caregiver, and begin the application process.
Rules For Recreational Users
The following rules apply to the recreational use of marijuana in Arizona. Caregivers working with marijuana should understand them and the differences with an MMJ card.
- Possession of up to 1 ounce of flower or 5 grams of concentrate is legal.
- You may grow 6 plants for personal use, or 12 in households with two adults. Marijuana caregivers may legally grow cannabis for their patients.
- Using marijuana while driving is illegal.
- Limitations on transporting marijuana and trafficking laws still apply.
While these rules give recreational users the benefits of cannabis, it’s not enough for caregivers who are asked to provide cannabis to patients. Meeting AZ MMJ caregiver requirements expand some of these limitations and provides some legal protection that can be very important, especially on the job and when transporting cannabis.
Rules for MMJ Card Holders And Caregivers
MMJ cardholders can purchase medical-grade cannabis without paying the excise tax placed on recreational purchases. They may also possess larger amounts of cannabis than non-cardholders. When an MMJ card-holding patient designates a marijuana caregiver, they transfer some of these expanded abilities to the caregiver.
For example, a medical marijuana cardholder can legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of flower every two weeks. An MMJ caregiver can legally make these purchases for multiple patients
A certified MMJ caregiver may cultivate plants for their patients. Approved caregivers may cultivate marijuana for up to five patients or a maximum of 72 marijuana plants.
MMJ card holders, and marijuana caregivers, can legally transport more cannabis – as long as it is related to healthcare.
Getting An MMJ Card In Arizona
The process begins by filing a contact request. Then you will be contacted by phone, by a physician, for a short consultation. The physician will provide instructions on how to access the Arizona State MMJ portal, where you can fill out a state MMJ card application.
Note that this is NOT the same as being approved as a marijuana caregiver. That is a separate process that must be initiated by your patient or the person under your care, who must possess an MMJ card. By meeting AZ MMJ caregiver requirements you can serve your patients better and make sure they get the relief they need.