Arizona Medical Marijuana Caregiver Requirements 2026
Arizona's medical marijuana program, overseen by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), has been operational since 2010. Caregivers enjoy substantial benefits including the ability to serve multiple patients and cultivate cannabis under certain conditions.
Quick Facts: Arizona Caregiver Program
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration Fee | $200 |
| Card Validity | 2 years |
| Max Patients | 5 |
| Processing Time | 2-4 weeks |
| Home Cultivation | Yes (if patient 25+ miles from dispensary) |
| Minimum Age | 21 years old |
| Residency | Arizona resident required |
Who Can Become a Medical Marijuana Caregiver in Arizona?
Age & Residency:
- Must be at least 21 years old
- Must be an Arizona resident
- Must possess valid Arizona identification
Background Check Requirements:
- State background check required
- Fingerprint clearance card from Arizona DPS required
- Disqualifying offenses include:
- Felony drug offenses
- Violent felonies within 10 years
- Excluded felony offenses
- 10-year lookback period for most offenses
Additional Requirements:
- Cannot be a registered qualifying patient
- Must be designated by a qualifying patient
- Must agree to assist with patient's medical use
How to Register as an Arizona Caregiver: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Obtain Fingerprint Clearance Card Before applying, you must obtain a fingerprint clearance card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Step 2: Patient Designation A qualifying patient must designate you as their caregiver in their application or through an amendment.
Step 3: Create ADHS Account Visit the Arizona Department of Health Services portal.
Step 4: Complete Application Submit your caregiver application with:
- Personal information
- Fingerprint clearance card number
- Proof of Arizona residency
- Patient designation
Step 5: Pay Registration Fee Submit the $200 registration fee.
Step 6: Receive Your Card Once approved (2-4 weeks), your caregiver ID card will be mailed.
Required Documents for Arizona Caregiver Registration
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of Arizona residency
- Fingerprint clearance card (from AZ DPS)
- Patient designation form
- $200 registration fee
Arizona Caregiver Cultivation Rights
Arizona allows caregivers to cultivate cannabis under specific conditions:
When Cultivation is Allowed:
- Patient must live more than 25 miles from a licensed dispensary
- Patient must designate you for cultivation rights
Cultivation Limits:
- Up to 12 marijuana plants per patient
- Plants must be in an enclosed, locked facility
- Not accessible to anyone without a registry card
- Cannot be visible from public areas
Maximum Plants:
- With 5 patients (all qualifying): Up to 60 plants total
Arizona Caregiver Rights and Responsibilities
What Caregivers CAN Do:
- Purchase up to 2.5 ounces per 14 days per patient from dispensaries
- Cultivate up to 12 plants per patient (if patient qualifies)
- Possess cannabis for up to 5 patients
- Transport cannabis between dispensary/grow and patient
- Administer medical marijuana to designated patients
What Caregivers CANNOT Do:
- Be a registered qualifying patient yourself
- Consume the patient's medical marijuana
- Grow without proper patient designation
- Exceed 5 patients
- Transfer cannabis to non-cardholders
Possession Limits for Arizona Caregivers
- Per Patient: 2.5 ounces per 14-day period
- Maximum (5 patients): 12.5 ounces
- Plants (if cultivating): 12 per patient, 60 maximum
- Concentrates: Included in ounce equivalents
Costs and Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Caregiver Registration | $200 |
| 2-Year Renewal | $200 |
| Fingerprint Clearance Card | ~$67 |
| Replacement Card | $20 |
Total Initial Cost: Approximately $267 (registration + fingerprint card)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be a caregiver for multiple patients in Arizona? Yes, Arizona allows caregivers to assist up to 5 qualifying patients simultaneously.
Can Arizona caregivers grow marijuana plants? Yes, but only if your patient lives more than 25 miles from a licensed dispensary. You may then cultivate up to 12 plants per patient in an enclosed, locked facility.
How much does an Arizona caregiver card cost? The registration fee is $200 for a 2-year card. You'll also need a fingerprint clearance card (~$67).
Can I be both a patient and caregiver in Arizona? No. Arizona does not allow individuals to hold both patient and caregiver registrations.
What is a fingerprint clearance card? It's a background check credential issued by Arizona DPS that verifies you have no disqualifying criminal history. It's required before applying for caregiver status.
How long is an Arizona caregiver card valid? 2 years from the date of issuance.
Official Resources
- Arizona Department of Health Services - Medical Marijuana
- Caregiver Information
- Fingerprint Clearance Card
- Find Arizona Dispensaries
Get Your Arizona Medical Marijuana Card
MMJ.com connects Arizona patients with certified physicians for convenient telehealth evaluations. Get certified and designate a caregiver to help with your medical cannabis needs.