Education - The Downtown Dispensary

Becoming a Medical Marijuana Patient

The following is a list of qualifying situations for a Medical Marijuana Card
1. Cancer
2. Glaucoma
3. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
4. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
5. Hepatitis C
6. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
7. Crohn’s Disease
8. Agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease
9. A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or treatment for a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that causes Cauchexia, or Wasting Syndrome
10. Chronic/Debilitating Disease or medical condition, or the treatment for a chronic debilitating disease that causes Severe and Chronic Pain
11. A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or the treatment for a chronic or debilitating disease that causes Severe Nausea
12. A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or treatment for a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that causes seizures, including those characteristic of Epilepsy
13. A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or treatment for a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that causes severe persistent muscle spasms including those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
14. A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or treatment approved by the Department of Health under A.R.S. 36-2801-01 and R9-17-106
15. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Qualification for the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program requires a strict certification process.

2. Choose your Qualifying Physician

3. Medical Records & Physician Review

Whichever facility you choose, the collection of your medical records will be the next step. Without current and verifiable medical records, your physician will be unable to certify your condition under Arizona law. Although there are conditions where a patient will qualify for the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program without full documentation, most of the certifying physicians will require that your records are current within one year.

Once you have contacted a qualifying physician, you will be asked to submit a medical release so that the doctor’s office can request your medical records from your treatment provider. If you already have your medical records, you will be able to mail, fax or email them to the qualifying physician.

Upon receipt of your medical records, your qualifying physician will thoroughly review the records to determine if you qualify for the Arizona Medical Marijuana Program. If additional documents are required for the review, a staff member will contact you and let you know which documents re necessary. If you qualify for the program, a staff member will call you to schedule an appointment with a qualifying physician.

4. Certification Appointment

During the appointment, the Staff Physician will complete a full assessment of your medical history, review yourmedical records, conduct any pertinent exam(s) and develop a treatment plan that will provide for management and routine care of the debilitating medical condition.

After review and approval, qualified patients will receive a Physician Certification form that will allow them to apply to the state for a Medical Marijuana Identification Card. All applicants must present a valid Arizona ID, such as an AZ driver’s license or AZ state-issued ID card. Payment for the physician will be required at this time and, if the doctor’s office will be processing your application, the state fee will be required at this time also. Please note that insurance companies do not cover medical marijuana consultations or the application fee.

If approved, you will receive your Arizona Medical Marijuana Card 1-2 weeks after your application has been submitted to the state. Once you receive your Arizona Medical Marijuana Card, you will be qualified to buy, possess, consume and transport cannabis, up to the limits specified by Arizona’s Proposition 203 (currently 2.5 ounces every 2 weeks).

Cannabis 101

Cannabis 101 is a new series that has been produced by Leafly and will help patients understand the various complexities of cannabis and choosing the best strains, edibles, or concentrates to meet your needs.This playlist consists of 14 separate videos that will autoplay in order. Just hit the play button and watch.

Different Strains

Learn about the differences between strains based on Indica, Sativa & Hybrid dominance.

How Topicals Work

Learn about cannabis topicals as a route of administration and how applying topicals works with your body.

Basic Q + A Part 1

Learn about the effects of cannabis and edibles, difference between medical and recreational cannabis, and obtaining & storage methods.

Intro to Concentrates

Learn about different types of concentrates and how they are consumed.

Visual Quality Guide

Learn visual indicators to help you determine the quality of the cannabis you select.

Intro to Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis that have a variety of effects that are acidic and non-acidic.

Basic Q + A Part 2

Learn about ways to consume cannabis, what a strain is, medical marijuana qualifiers, where to consume and about legal possession.

Delivery Methods

From hand pipes to tinctures, here you will find information on the many different ways to consume cannabis.

Cannabis Quantities

Learn about the common quantities cannabis is sold and the role of density.

Intro to Terpenes

Understand what terpenes are and how they interact with cannabinoids to create the “entourage effect”.

Ingesting vs Inhaling

Ingest or inhale? In this video, find out the difference and how ingesting cannabis or inhaling cannabis affects you.

Landrace Strains

Naturally cultivated over thousands of years, these strains of cannabis adapted to the environment of their geographical location.

Patient Educational Materials

The Arizona Department of Health Services reviews and regulates the educational materials provided to qualifying patients by each dispensary. Our patient care consultants shall offer you a copy of Medical Marijuana Basics at every visit.
Information about different types of medical marijuana, dosing methods, and a patient logbook will help you track the effectiveness of our products for your qualifying condition.

Michael Backes’s Cannabis Pharmacy: The Practical Guide to Medical Marijuana is an inside look at ailments, medical marijuana best practices around the country, and the most popular strains of cannabis available. He also offers insights into the future of the human-cannabis relationship.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No claims are made to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Please Note: The material on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your physician before beginning any new health or medical program.