Arizona

The following Arizona-licensed physicians may provide written certifications. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are NOT authorized to certify patients in Arizona.

• Allopathic physicians (MD)
• Osteopathic physicians (DO)
• Homeopathic physicians (MD(H) or DO(H))
• Naturopathic physicians (NMD or ND)

Health Care Practitioner Registration

Physicians must hold an active Arizona license from the appropriate state licensing board. No additional registration or permit is required beyond holding a valid Arizona license. Registration with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is free, and is completed by uploading the written patient certification directly to the ADHS system.

Continuing Education Requirements

Arizona does not require specific CME courses for certifying physicians. Training in cannabis medicine is recommended but not mandated.

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Crohn's disease
• Agitation of Alzheimer's disease
• A chronic or debilitating disease or its treatment that causes:
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Severe and chronic pain
• Severe nausea
• Seizures, including those characteristic of epilepsy
• Severe or persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis
• Any other medical condition added by the department pursuant to ARS § 36-2801.01

(For the complete current list, visit the Patient FAQs — Arizona Department of Health Services.)

To certify a patient in Arizona:

• Conduct a thorough evaluation, in-person OR via telehealth (SB1466)
• Diagnose or verify the qualifying condition
• Determine that cannabis may provide therapeutic or palliative benefit
• Complete the ADHS Physician Certification Form, available at ADHS Medical Marijuana Physician Information
• Upload the certification to the ADHS system

Telehealth is permitted in Arizona for both initial certifications and follow-up assessments. Certifications may be valid for up to 2 years, with a requirement to assess patients at least annually.

Patient applications are submitted online through the ADHS Patient Registry Portal within 90 days of your certification date.

Certifications may be valid for up to 2 years with annual patient assessments. To recertify a patient: 

• The physician must reassess the patient and confirm the qualifying condition and ongoing benefit from cannabis.
• Provide a new written certification for each renewal cycle. 

Medical professionals have a legal right to recommend cannabis as a treatment in any state, as protected by the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (Title III section 301) which became law on December 2, 2022, and the First Amendment (established by a 2004 United States Supreme Court decision to uphold earlier federal court rulings that doctors, and their patients have a fundamental Constitutional right to freely discuss treatment options).

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