Chitral Hays -- not his real name -- is Jackalope Ranch's resident expert on medical marijuana in Arizona. In Perfectly Blunt, Hays delivers news, reviews, and must-know info. This week he's answering one reader's MMJ question.
I own a second home in AZ. Can a snowbird get a medical marijuana card? Thanks for your help. One more question - will a passport work in lieu of an AZ drivers license? - Dan E.
Hi, Dan. Thanks for your question. The answer is yes. Many out-of-state patients are able to obtain and use medical marijuana in Arizona.
See also: Your Guide to Arizona's Medical Marijuana Farmers Market
First, you will need an Arizona driver's license -- a passport won't suffice. If you have proof of residency, it shouldn't be difficult to obtain. The MVD will issue you a card.
To qualify for a medical marijuana card in Arizona, you need to have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, cachexia, cancer, chronic pain, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, seizures, epilepsy, severe nausea, ALS, Crohn's disease, or Alzheimer's disease. After you've been diagnosed, you'll need a recommendation from a doctor.
Once you have a recommendation, you'll need to apply for Arizona's version of the MMJ card, as only patients with medical marijuana cards issued by the Arizona Department of Health Services can buy weed at dispensaries in this state.
To apply for a card, you'll need your Arizona driver's license, proof of residency, and the doctor's recommendation. For more details on how to do that, see the four-step guide to getting a medical marijuana card in Arizona.
If you are approved, you'll receive your card by mail. Read over the rules and guidelines that come with your card. Even if you have a medical marijuana card from another state, you are subject to Arizona's laws while you're in Arizona. For example, while the legal limit for the amount of cannabis you can carry is 24 ounces in Washington, in Arizona that limit is 2.5 ounces every two weeks.
Take care, Chitral H.
Have a question? Send it to [email protected].
