Frequently Asked Questions

 Patient Questions

 How do I get an Arizona medical marijuana card?

If you’re a Arizona resident with a qualifying medical condition, you may sign up for the program by obtaining a doctor’s recommendation and registering with the Arizona Department of Health Services. You will receive a Arizona Medical Marijuana Card that allows you to make purchases at your dispensary. Click here to learn more about getting your card.

 I have a medical marijuana card from another state. Can I use it to purchase medicine in Arizona?

No, unfortunately not. Only patients who are registered with the AZ Department of Health Services will be permitted to visit dispensaries to purchase medical marijuana. However, AZ law contains a reciprocity clause that allows patients from other states to be in possession of medical marijuana while they are within the state of Arizona.

Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to get your card.

 What should I do if my doctor won’t recommend for me?

If you’ve discussed medical marijuana with your doctor and you were unable to obtain a recommendation, send us a message or give us a call and we’ll be happy to assist you with a doctor referral.

 Are doctors required to make determinations about appropriate dosage?

No. Program rules already limit the patients allowable supply. Dispensary staff also assist patients in understanding dosage and patient characteristics. The doctor’s only responsibility is to determine whether or not to issue the medical marijuana recommendation.

 How much medical marijuana are patients allowed to purchase?

Patients may purchase no more than 2.5 ounces every 14 days, and are permitted to possess no more than that amount at any one time.

 How do I renew my Arizona medical marijuana card?

Your medical marijuana card must be current in order to make purchases at the dispensary. If your card has expired or will expire soon, we recommend applying for a new card as soon as possible.

Requirements

The process for renewing your card is very similar to the process you followed previously. You will need the following items:

• Current photo ID
• Updated doctor recommendation
• New photo for your patient ID card
• Updated proof of SNAP eligibility (if applying for low-income registration)
• Updated Patient Attestation Form (available here)

Application Fee

The application fee for renewing your card will remain the same, unless there has been a change in your eligibility for low-income registration. The rate is $150, with a 50% discount for participants in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program. Some recommending physicians offer discounted rates for renewing patients, which may help to reduce your cost.

Caregivers

If you have adesignated caregiver, their card will automatically expire on the same date as yours and they will need to submit an updated application as well. The cost of a caregiver renewal is $200. The caregiver renewal application is available here. Please note that your caregiver will need to submit fingerprints by mail to the Department of Health Services as part of their application.

Submitting Your Application

Once you’ve obtained your updated doctor recommendation and prepared your documents, you may submit your new application through the Department of Health Services website by clicking here. Feel free to contact our helpful staff if you need assistance at any stage of the process. SWC Arizona appreciates your continued participation in the medical marijuana program and we look forward to your next visit.

 What are the qualifying conditioned for medical marijuana in AZ?

Arizona residents are eligible to receive medical marijuana for the following conditions:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Crohn’s disease
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• HIV/AIDS
• Severe nausea
• Persistent muscle spasms
• PTSD
• Seizures

 General Questions

 What does science say about marijuana for medical use?

Medical marijuana has been studied extensively by the scientific community and a great deal is known about the therapeutic benefits of the marijuana plant. Americans for Safe Access has some great resources available online for patients and doctors who want to learn more about the science of medical marijuana, including a selection of booklets on the use of medical marijuana to treat specific conditions. We also recommend this article by Dr. Sanjay Gupta at CNN who writes about how he became a strong supporter of medical marijuana after researching the issue in depth. Columbia Care is committed to providing our patients with up to date research and development.

 Where does the marijuana come from?

All medical marijuana at SWC is produced in Arizona at one of a few licensed cultivation centers. These facilities are carefully regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) and must follow strict guidelines to ensure product safety. Dispensaries may not acquire marijuana products from any source other than the licensed and regulated facilities.

 Do you have any employment opportunities available?

For additional information about employment in the medical marijuana field, please check out this article in our blog, which includes tips and strategies for job seekers. Thanks for your interest.

 Do you offer internships?

We are not currently offering internships.

 Dispensary Questions

 I’ve never been to a medical marijuana dispensary. How does it work?

A medical marijuana dispensary is a simple, secure facility designed to provide access for patients to receive their medicine in a safe, welcoming environment. Qualified patients or their caregivers must present their state-issued ID cards at the door. No one else is permitted to enter the establishment other than registered employees attending to the facility. Once inside, patients are greeted by a friendly staff who are trained to answer questions about the medicine and helps the patient make decisions based on the patient’s individual health needs. The patient or caregiver then makes their selection, purchases the medicine, and exits. Security staff monitor events inside and outside the facility.

 Why should I choose SWC as my dispensary?

We could go on and on about how proud we are of our customer service and quality medications offered at great prices, but instead, we will refer to patients on this question. Checkout our patient testimonials to hear what others are saying about SWC.

• Quality: We’re proud to be a dispensary in Arizona that’s also licensed to grow medical marijuana, which enables us to offer the best variety of products and carefully control the quality of our medicine.
• Pricing: We believe patients deserve affordable medicine and we’re committed to offering the best prices available in the State. In addition to our low retail prices, we offer regular sales and specials, as well as discounts for seniors, veterans, and low-income patients.
• Comfort: SWC facilities were carefully designed to create a comfortable experience for our visitors. Our dispensaries feature got wide halls, cozy seating, beautiful plants and art, spacious restrooms, and wheelchair accessibility.
• Customer Service: Our staff is friendly, attentive, and highly knowledgeable. We work hard to maintain a welcoming and safe environment for all our visitors and we’ll do everything we can to make your patient experience a pleasant one.

 What are the Dispensary Rules?

To see our complete list of rules, please click here.