Arkansas

Only Doctors of Medicine (MD) or Doctors of Osteopathy (DO) licensed in the state of Arkansas may certify patients for the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Program. The certifying physician must:

• Hold a valid, unrestricted license to practice medicine or osteopathy in Arkansas
• Have a controlled substances license on file with the United States DEA
• Be in good standing to practice medicine in Arkansas
• Have a bona fide physician-patient relationship with the patient

Arkansas does not require physicians to register with the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) before certifying patients. The ADH does not maintain a registry of approved certifying physicians. Patients are responsible for finding their own certified physicians.

There is no specific medical cannabis training required by law in Arkansas to complete the physician-written certification form. Any Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy licensed in Arkansas with a valid DEA number is authorized to certify patients.

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• Hepatitis C
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Severe arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Intractable pain, which is pain that has not responded to ordinary medications, treatment or surgical measures for more than six (6) months
• Severe nausea
• Seizures, including, without limitation, those characteristic of epilepsy
• Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including, without limitation, those characteristic of multiple sclerosis

Certifying Patients

To certify a patient:

• Conduct an assessment of the patient’s medical history and current medical condition within the context of an existing physician-patient relationship
• Complete the ADH-approved Physician Written Certification form (must use the official ADH form only; letters and other certifications are not accepted). The form is available at Arkansas Medical Cannabis Forms
• Have the patient submit the completed form to the ADH with their patient application within 30 days of your signature date

Initial certifications must be completed in person. Patients may apply online through the Arkansas Medical Cannabis System.

Arkansas requires in-person visits for initial certification. Telehealth is only authorized for recertification (renewals), per Act 1112 of 2021.

For physician guidance, visit the Arkansas Department of Health — Information for Physicians.

Renewal requires a new Physician Written Certification — the previous certification cannot be reused. Telehealth is authorized for recertification visits in compliance with Arkansas Medical Board telehealth rules. Patients must submit a complete new application with all required documents and the non-refundable fee.

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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