Can I Get a Medical Marijuana Card for Seizures or Epilepsy in Arkansas?

Seizures — including epilepsy — are among the most well-researched areas for medical cannabis. Arkansas recognizes this, and it's a named qualifying condition for your MMJ card.

The story of cannabis and epilepsy is one of the most compelling in the medical marijuana conversation. Parents of children with treatment-resistant epilepsy were among the earliest advocates for medical cannabis access across the country — including in Arkansas. The science has followed, at least for certain patient populations.

Do seizures qualify for an Arkansas MMJ card?

Yes. Arkansas's Medical Marijuana Amendment includes seizures — specifically including those characteristic of epilepsy — as a qualifying condition. This language covers multiple seizure disorders, not just a specific epilepsy diagnosis.

If you have a documented seizure disorder, whether formally diagnosed as epilepsy or not, you have a potentially qualifying condition. Your certifying physician will make the determination based on your medical records.

What the research shows

The most rigorous research on cannabis and seizures involves CBD and specific treatment-resistant epilepsy syndromes. A 2017 clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Devinsky et al.) studied children and young adults with Dravet syndrome — a severe, drug-resistant form of epilepsy — and found that a pharmaceutical CBD solution may be associated with reduced frequency of convulsive seizures compared to placebo. Only 5% of patients in the CBD group became seizure-free. Nonconvulsive seizures were not significantly reduced. This trial was funded by GW Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Epidiolex.

That trial ultimately led to FDA approval of Epidiolex, a prescription CBD medication for specific epilepsy syndromes. Epidiolex is a pharmaceutical drug — it's not available at a dispensary and requires a separate prescription process. However, its approval validated the underlying premise that CBD may have anti-seizure properties in certain patients.

For patients with other seizure types and epilepsy diagnoses, the evidence is less definitive. Many patients use CBD-dominant products from dispensaries as a complement to their prescribed anti-epileptic medications — typically with their neurologist's awareness.

Important: cannabis and your seizure medications

If you're taking anti-epileptic drugs, tell your neurologist before adding cannabis to your routine. CBD in particular can affect how certain anti-epileptic medications — including clobazam — are processed in your body, potentially raising blood levels in ways that affect both seizure control and side effects. This is well-documented in the clinical research.

Most neurologists who work with epilepsy patients are familiar with these interactions. Don't assume they'll shut the conversation down — many are more open to discussing cannabis than patients expect, especially for treatment-resistant cases.

For parents: minors with epilepsy and the MMJ card process

Minors can qualify for an Arkansas MMJ card with parental or legal guardian consent. For children with treatment-resistant epilepsy:

• A parent or legal guardian applies as the designated caregiver alongside the minor patient
• The minor's physician provides the certification documenting the qualifying seizure condition
• The caregiver — not the minor — purchases at the dispensary on the patient's behalf
• Both the minor's card and caregiver authorization are required at point of purchase

If you're navigating this for a child, come in and talk to us. Our team will walk you through what to bring and what to expect.

How to get your Arkansas MMJ card for seizures

1. Gather documentation — neurologist or primary care records confirming your seizure disorder.
2. Schedule a certification appointment. Your existing neurologist may or may not certify — MMJ-specific telehealth is a reliable alternative. You can find a licensed MMJ doctor here.‍
3. Apply through the Arkansas Department of Health. Upload your certification and AR ID, pay the $50 fee.
4. Receive your card in 10–14 days. Print the temporary digital card immediately on approval.

Products — where to start for seizure patients

• CBD-dominant products are the most common starting point — high CBD, low or no THC
• Full-spectrum CBD may be more effective than CBD isolate for some patients — though evidence on this is limited
• Tinctures and capsules for precise, consistent dosing — consistency matters more for seizure management than for most conditions
• Avoid high-THC products as a starting point — THC may lower seizure threshold in some patients

Dosing for seizure management is more nuanced than most conditions. Start low, go slowly, and keep your neurologist informed of exactly what you're using. Our team can help you understand product composition — but your medical team needs to stay in the loop on this one.

Ready to start?

‍

‍Amanda Strickland is CEO of The Source dispensary in Northwest Arkansas and creator of the Roots & Reefer documentary, magazine, and educational platform. This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your specific situation.