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Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity and cannabis in Arizona

The state explicitly lists this condition under its medical cannabis program. A certifying physician can pursue state registration for a patient with this diagnosis under the program rules.

Listed qualifying condition
✓ Yes
LEGAL
2.5 oz per 14-day supply
POSSESSION
$150/yr
STATE FEE
5–14 d
TIMELINE
Listed qualifying condition. The state explicitly lists this condition under its medical cannabis program. A certifying physician can pursue state registration for a patient with this diagnosis under the program rules.

Arizona statute and program

The Arizona Medical Marijuana Program is the operating authority for Arizona patient certification. The authoritative legal text is: A.R.S. Title 36 Chapter 28.1: Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.

What the evidence says about cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity

The 2017 NASEM consensus report found substantial evidence that oral cannabinoids improve patient-reported spasticity symptoms in adults with MS. Clinician-rated outcomes show smaller effects than patient-reported outcomes, suggesting a meaningful subjective benefit even where objective measures change less.

For the full evidence base, including the NASEM tier, randomized trial summaries, and symptom-domain breakdown, read the mmjnow Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity page.

How to qualify in Arizona

The Arizona Medical Marijuana Program requires the following registration steps for a Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity patient (or any qualifying diagnosis):

  1. Get a written certification from an Arizona-licensed physician. Under A.R.S. §36-2801 et seq. (Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, Proposition 203 of 2010), any Arizona-licensed allopathic physician, osteopathic physician, naturopathic physician, or homeopathic physician may complete the Physician Certification Form. The physician must establish a bona-fide physician-patient relationship and certify one of the enumerated debilitating medical conditions: cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn’s, Alzheimer’s, cachexia, severe and chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, severe and persistent muscle spasms, or PTSD.
  2. Apply through the AZDHS online portal. The patient creates an account at the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) Medical Marijuana Program online portal, uploads the Physician Certification Form, an Arizona driver license or state ID, and a passport-style photograph. Caregivers register separately and pass a fingerprint-based criminal history records check.
  3. Pay the $150 state registration fee. The two-year Arizona medical marijuana patient ID card fee is $150 (reduced to $75 for SNAP participants). Caregivers pay $200 for the two-year card and the fingerprint check. The 2024 AZDHS rule revisions kept the two-year card validity (extended from one year in 2019) which keeps total annual cost lower than most comparable states.
  4. Receive the card and purchase from an Arizona dispensary. Arizona medical marijuana patient ID cards are typically issued within 5 to 10 business days of complete application. With the card, patients may purchase up to 2.5 ounces every 14 days from any of the licensed Arizona medical dispensaries. Adult-use retail is legal statewide for adults 21+ under Proposition 207 (2020); medical patients retain a lower 6% medical excise tax versus the 16% adult-use excise tax plus access to higher-potency edibles. Arizona honors out-of-state medical cards for non-resident visitors (visitors may possess but not purchase).
State registration fee
$150
Physician visit (typical)
$100–$250
Certification to card
5–14 days
Out-of-state patients
Eligible
Minors
Eligible with caregiver

For full Arizona registration steps, fees, and reciprocity rules, see the Arizona cannabis-laws page.

ICD-10 code

A certifying physician documenting Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity for the Arizona medical cannabis program will typically record ICD-10 G35 or SNOMED-CT 24700007 in the patient's record. The state registry does not itself collect ICD-10 codes in most programs, but the physician's chart is the audit trail if the certification is later reviewed.

Frequently asked questions

Does Arizona list Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis?

Yes. Arizona explicitly lists Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity as a qualifying condition under Arizona Medical Marijuana Program. A patient with a documented Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity diagnosis can pursue state-program certification with a physician registered in the state. The qualifying-condition list is set by state statute or regulation and may change. Inclusion on the list does not guarantee certification — a physician still has to evaluate the patient and decide that medical cannabis is appropriate for that specific case under Arizona rules.

How do I get a Arizona medical marijuana card for Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity?

Step one is finding a physician licensed in Arizona who is registered with Arizona Medical Marijuana Program and willing to evaluate Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity cases. Step two is collecting your records (diagnosis documentation, treatment history, and the ICD-10 code your physician will use) and bringing them to the certification visit. Step three is the physician's certification through the state registry, followed by the patient registration application, state fee, and waiting period before the card is issued. Arizona honors out-of-state medical cards under its reciprocity rules — uncommon, and worth verifying before relying on it. Verify the patient minimum age with the state program before applying. Confirm the current process with the state regulator before applying, because the rules change.

What does the evidence say about cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity?

For Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity, evidence is described as strong (e.g. multiple randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews supporting effect). The mmjnow condition page for Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity lays out the current evidence base, including the citations underlying that evidence tier — typically the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine consensus reports, federal agency guidance, and peer-reviewed reviews. Evidence quality is independent of state law: a state can list a condition for which evidence is limited, and a state can decline to list a condition for which evidence is strong. Patients deciding whether to pursue medical cannabis for Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity should review the underlying evidence (linked on the condition page) and discuss expected benefit, dosing, and risk with a clinician familiar with both Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity and cannabinoid pharmacology. Cannabis is not a substitute for evidence-based first-line treatments for Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity; the evidence position above describes whether trial data supports its use, not whether it should replace standard care.

Sources

  1. A.R.S. Title 36 Chapter 28.1: Arizona Medical Marijuana Actaccessed May 15, 2026
  2. Arizona Department of Health Services: Medical Marijuana Programaccessed May 15, 2026
  3. A.R.S. §28-1381: Driving under the influenceaccessed May 17, 2026
  4. Arizona Department of Agriculture: Industrial Hemp Programaccessed May 17, 2026
  5. NASEM: The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)accessed May 14, 2026

    “Substantial evidence that oral cannabinoids are effective for improving patient-reported MS spasticity symptoms.”

  6. National MS Society: Marijuanaaccessed May 14, 2026