Yes as a patient you need to have the certification to have the following benefits. With out the certificate, Recreational marijuana would be subject to the normal sales tax rate and an additional 16% excise tax a total of 25% (AZ Medical Marijuana certificate holders will not have to pay the excise tax). Besides the direct tax savings, “you can write off your meds” on your state taxes if you’re a certificate holder As a patient with certificate you will get the highest quality cannabis products. Arizona governor signed the AZ Senate Bill 1494 requires that all medical marijuana products sold in licensed dispensaries be independently lab tested by November 1, 2020. Testing labs must be accredited and must have no financial relationship with any dispensaries. The measure also reduces application fees for medical cannabis certificate holders. Arizona’s Medical Marijuana Act (the “AMMA”) is one of the most unique in the nation. It was the first law to explicitly provide statutory protection against employment discrimination for one’s status as a MMJ certificate holder.(A.R.S. § 36-2813 )