Arizona Bill Will Make Marijuana Cards Valid for Two Years

On May 28, the Arizona Legislature passed SB1494, which mainly pertains to requiring dispensaries to test their cannabis for toxins by a third-party lab. However, a last minute amendment in the bill pertains to making Arizona medical marijuana cards valid for two years instead of one. The bill is headed to Governor Doug Ducey’s office.

With Gov. Ducey’s signature, Arizona medical marijuana cards would be valid for two years, thus saving patients from a $150 annual state fee as well as an $80-$150 annual visit to a medical marijuana doctor.

The amendment says: “All registry identification cards and registration certificates expire two years after their date of issue.”

Arizonans with at least one qualifying health condition can obtain a medical marijuana card. Arizona’s qualifying conditions are:

•      Chronic pain (back pain, migraines, etc);
•      Cancer
•      Glaucoma
•      HIV
•      AIDS
•      Hepatitis C
•      Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
•      Crohn’s disease
•      Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
•      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;
•      Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
•      Severe nausea;
•      Seizures, including those from epilepsy;
•      Severe or persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis

Contact an Arizona medical marijuana doctor to learn more about getting a medical marijuana card or renewing a card.

Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr CC2.0 Modified.