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Conditions · Arkansas

Arthritis and medical marijuana in Arkansas: do you qualify?

By MyMMJRx Editorial Team · Updated · 5 min read

Yes. The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Program lists Severe arthritis as a qualifying condition. An Arkansas-licensed provider still has to evaluate you and agree that cannabis is appropriate.

About arthritis

Arthritis covers more than 100 conditions that affect the joints. Osteoarthritis (wear and tear) and rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune) are the most common.

Moderate evidence. Arthritis-specific trials are few, but arthritis pain falls under chronic pain, where the National Academies found substantial evidence of benefit. Many patients prefer topicals for joint pain.

Symptoms Arkansas patients most often hope to ease:

  • Ongoing joint pain in the knees, hips, hands or back
  • Stiffness after rest or first thing in the morning
  • Pain that interrupts sleep
  • Reduced ability to walk, grip or exercise
  • Reliance on pain relievers that cause side effects
Before you start. Cannabis does not stop joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis, so it should never replace disease-modifying drugs. CBD can affect how the liver handles some medicines, including warfarin and methotrexate, so your doctor may want to check blood tests.

Read more: medical marijuana for arthritis.

How to get certified in Arkansas

  1. Confirm you are an Arkansas resident aged 18 or older and not a member of the National Guard or U.S. military.
  2. See a licensed physician, in person or by telehealth, who diagnoses a qualifying condition.
  3. Have the physician complete the ADH written certification form.
  4. Apply online at the ADH medical marijuana portal and upload the certification and a copy of your Arkansas license or state ID.
  5. Pay the $50 nonrefundable fee.
  6. Allow up to 14 days for review, then print your card once approved.

Arkansas allows the evaluation by telehealth, so you can see an Arkansas-licensed provider by video. Our evaluation starts at $79 and is charged only if you're approved.

Costs and timeline

  • State fee: $50
  • Card lasts: Up to 1 year (shorter if the physician specifies)
  • Processing: Up to 14 days from receipt of a complete application and payment
  • Patient limit: 2.5 ounces
  • Home grow: Not allowed
  • Recreational sales: Not legal
  • First visit online: Yes

See the full Arkansas cost breakdown and Arkansas program overview.

Other qualifying conditions in Arkansas

See every qualifying condition in Arkansas

Arthritis in nearby states

Frequently asked questions

Do I need medical records for arthritis?

Helpful records include: a diagnosis of the type of arthritis, such as an X-ray report or rheumatology notes; a list of treatments tried, including pain relievers, injections and physical therapy, and how well they worked; any recent lab results for rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthritis. Many patients are still evaluated on their history alone, and your Arkansas provider will tell you if more is needed.

How long does certification take in Arkansas?

The provider visit takes about 15 minutes. Up to 14 days from receipt of a complete application and payment.

Can I renew online in Arkansas?

In most cases, yes. Renewal opens up to 60 days before your card expires and requires a new physician certification and another $50 fee.

Sources

This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Laws change — confirm details with your state agency. State facts last checked October 7, 2026.

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