How to Become a Medical Marijuana Caregiver in Arizona

You may be wondering how to become a medical marijuana caregiver if someone close to you requires medical cannabis to treat a qualifying condition. An MMJ caregiver is someone who assists one or more medical marijuana cardholders with the purchase (or cultivation) and administration of cannabis products. 

The Arizona Medical Marijuana Act (AMMA) gives medical marijuana patients the right to designate a caregiver to help them purchase and consume medical marijuana. This covers various aspects, including the delivery, transport, and storage of medical cannabis products. Caregivers also assist with non-flower formats, like tinctures or edibles. 

Medical caregivers enjoy legal protections under the AMMA when transporting cannabis on behalf of designated patients. The Act also allows the caregiver to cultivate marijuana plants at home for the patient's personal use if they live more than 25 miles from a dispensary. 

The following outlines the key facts about being a medical caregiver in Arizona:

Requirement	Arizona Caregiver Rule
Minimum Age	21+
State Fee	$200 initial application/renewal
Card Validity	2 years
Maximum Patients	5 qualifying patients
Possession Limit	2.5 oz of usable marijuana per patient
Purchase Limit	2.5 oz per patient per 14 days
Separate Card Required	Yes. One caregiver card for each patient
Criminal History	Must not have an excluded felony offense
Cultivation	Up to 12 plants per patient if the caregiver is authorized to cultivate and they live more than 25 miles from a dispensary
Caregiver Compensation	May be reimbursed for actual costs, but can’t legally charge a fee for caregiver services
Patient Designation	The patient designates the caregiver through the ADHS website

Requirements to Become a Caregiver in AZ

You must first be selected to be an MMJ patient's caregiver and meet the eligibility criteria before applying to be a caregiver in Arizona. The requirements are:

• Be 21 years of age or older

• Be a resident of Arizona

• Consent to help the patient purchase and take medical cannabis

• Consent to a criminal history background check that reveals no history of excluded felony offenses (violent crimes or felonies related to controlled substances) within the last 10 years

• Be the parent or legal guardian of a patient who is under 18 years of age 

Please note: Caregivers don't need any medical experience to obtain a caregiver license.

Tip: As a caregiver, it’s important to keep up to date with Arizona medical cannabis laws to ensure you always stay in line with regulations and take advantage of all the program has to offer.

Minor Patients

Only adults 18 and above can apply for an MMJ card in Arizona. A parent or guardian must register for a caregiver's card to be able to purchase medical marijuana for an underage patient (under the age of 18). 

Application Process for Arizona Caregivers

The procedure to become a medical cannabis caregiver in Arizona depends on whether you apply to become the caregiver of a new patient or an existing patient. You will need $200 to cover the state application fee and around $40-$60 for fingerprinting services. Please note that caregiver fees are non-refundable. 

Green Leaf Medical Marijuana Card Doctors are happy to help both the patient and caregiver with the application process.

Caregivers of a New Patient

Follow these steps to be approved as a medical marijuana caregiver in Arizona:

1. Apply through the Arizona Department of Health Services Individual Licensing Portal after the medical marijuana patient has been certified by a doctor as having one of AZ's qualifying conditions and has been approved in the system.

2. Provide the patient's application identification number, full name, and date of birth when applying.

3. Refer to the checklist provided by the ADHS to ensure you submit everything needed for your application. This includes:

   1. A recent photograph taken no more than 60 days before applying

   2. Your Arizona driver's license, Arizona ID card, or US passport

   3. Your completed and signed Medical Marijuana Caregiver Attestation form

   4. Your Marijuana Program Fingerprint Verification form. You must also include a physical FD-258 fingerprint card and Fingerprint Verification Form obtained through a law enforcement agency or authorized fingerprinting vendor. 

   5. Receipt of the non-refundable $200 application fee. The payment must be made via MasterCard or Visa.

Once completed, submit the state fee, caregiver application form, and identity documents online, and mail the original fingerprinting card and fingerprint verification form directly to:

Arizona Department of Health ServicesATTN: Marijuana DepartmentPO Box 19000Phoenix, AZ 85005

The state of Arizona now issues digital medical marijuana cards. Following approval (typically within five business days), the caregiver receives their electronic ID card via the ADHS portal. This can then be saved to a mobile device or printed to use in dispensaries.  

Caregivers of Existing Patients

If a patient wishes to change or add a designated caregiver, they must apply through the Arizona Department of Health Services website. The patient must have a current, valid MMJ ID card to do this. Existing patients who need to renew their medical marijuana card (up to 90 days before their current card expires) can make any desired changes then. 

Caregiver Card Renewal

Renewing your designated caregiver card costs $200 and is completed via the ADHS licensing portal. Please note:

• The patient(s) under your care must still have a valid MMJ card. Otherwise, your caregiver status becomes void. Ensure their card is still valid and help them renew it if necessary.

• You will need to provide a new photograph, Caregiver Attestation form, and fingerprints to the ADHS.

• You may need to provide an updated ID if your name or address has changed.

FAQs

How do I find a caregiver in Arizona?

Many patients choose a family member or close friend to be their caregiver. However, this may not work for everyone. Getting a referral from another MMJ patient works for many patients, as one caregiver can care for up to five patients.

Be aware that finding a caregiver is the patient’s responsibility. There is no official list of approved caregivers. Also, there is currently no provision for remote care.

How much marijuana can a caregiver purchase and possess in Arizona?

Arizona caregivers must have their medical marijuana caregiver ID card with them to purchase marijuana on a patient's behalf. With their card, they can buy up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana during any 14-day period for each patient under their care. The amount purchased for each patient is tracked centrally in the Arizona Allotment Checker.

What happens if I’m stopped by police while transporting medical marijuana?

Caregivers are exempt from arrest or prosecution if they’re found by law enforcement authorities to be within the allowable possession limits for their registered patients. Always carry your card when traveling with marijuana.

How many plants can a caregiver grow in Arizona?

An authorized caregiver may cultivate up to 12 marijuana plants per patient when the patient's home is more than 25 miles from a registered dispensary. The plants must be kept in an enclosed, locked facility that can’t be seen from the outside. Outdoor growing spaces must be surrounded by robust 10-foot walls made of metal, stone, or concrete to prevent the public from seeing the marijuana plants.

Can I earn money from being a caregiver in Arizona?

You may be wondering what the medical marijuana caregiver salary is, or if you can make money from being a caregiver. The simple answer to this is that you can't charge a fee for your services or sell marijuana to your patients in Arizona. However, you are entitled to be reimbursed for any costs incurred in the process of providing caregiver services, for example, the cost of gas used driving to and from dispensaries.

Can an MMJ caregiver be fired from their job in AZ? 

Generally, no. Arizona law protects registered medical marijuana cardholders from employment discrimination based solely on their status (with the exception of security-sensitive and federally-sponsored jobs). Moreover, caregivers who don’t personally consume marijuana wouldn’t test positive for THC in a workplace drug test. 

Can an AZ caregiver own a firearm? 

Arizona law doesn’t prohibit an MMJ caregiver from owning a firearm. However, federal law regarding marijuana use and firearm possession is more restrictive. 

What happens if a patient removes a caregiver from their account? 

Removing a caregiver from their account suspends their rights and duties to that patient. This generally occurs around 15 days after ADHS sends the required notice of the caregiver change. The caregiver may still serve other registered patients in their care. 

Becoming a Medical Marijuana Caregiver Has Never Been Easier

MMJ caregivers provide an invaluable service to family, friends, or anybody else with an AZ qualifying condition. They’re an essential part of the process for patients who are unable to access or administer medical marijuana themselves.

Completing the adult patient caregiver registration is a straightforward process that allows you to start assisting patients quickly. Familiarize yourself with the relevant regulations and keep your card up-to-date after the initial registration to continue serving those under your care.