7 Steps to Qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card In Florida

Are you interested in treating a health condition with medical cannabis?

Florida is one of 39 states with a legal medical marijuana program. The path to receiving a medical cannabis card starts with understanding the state's rigorous medical marijuana laws.

This article provides a detailed guide to obtaining a medical marijuana card alongside an overview of the legal framework governing its use.

1. What are the Current Medical Marijuana Laws in Florida?

Florida's medical marijuana laws are designed to manage the therapeutic use of cannabis while maintaining strict regulations.

Here's a breakdown of key provisions:

There are possession and supply limits for patients purchasing medical cannabis. Qualified patients may legally possess (and buy) specific quantities as recommended by a certified physician. For instance:

• There is a 70-day supply limit for edibles (4,200 mg of THC)
• Vaporized products have a 70-day supply limit (24,500 mg of THC)
• 35-day medical marijuana supply limits cannot exceed 2.5 ounces

A medical cannabis certification for (smokable) medical marijuana may not exceed a 35-day supply. Registered patients can carry up to 2.5 ounces but cannot possess more than 4 ounces at any given time.

Florida law primarily restricts the use of medical marijuana to patients' homes. However, public use is prohibited. Importantly, driving under the influence of medical marijuana is illegal and can lead to penalties.

Employers in Florida are not obligated to allow medical marijuana use in the workplace and can make policies prohibiting it. Medical marijuana use is also strictly prohibited on school grounds.

2. Meeting Eligibility Requirements for Medical Cannabis

If you want to get a medical marijuana card in Florida, you must follow a strict eligibility process to qualify as a patient.

Only Florida residents can apply for a state medical marijuana card. You'll need to furnish acceptable proof of residency; this can include:

• A Florida driver's license
• State ID
• Lease agreement
• Utility bill
• Passport

You must be 18 years or older to apply. Minors may be eligible with parental consent, a qualifying condition, and the approval of two qualified physicians.

3. Qualifying Medical Condition

Florida law approves several conditions for medical marijuana. Examples include:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Crohn's Disease
• Parkinson's Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

If you don't see your condition on the full list, your condition may still qualify under the law. Florida does approve medical cannabis for other debilitating conditions if the condition:

• Falls under the same class
• Is comparable to a listed condition
• Has documented chronic nonmalignant pain

You may also qualify if your condition is terminal but wasn't diagnosed by a certified physician.

4. See a Qualified Physician

After understanding laws and qualifying conditions, your next step is to book an appointment with a state-certified physician. These physicians have completed the required training to be registered with the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). This means they can issue medical marijuana cards.

A certified medical professional will start by reviewing your medical history. Your current health will be assessed to determine eligibility for medical cannabis use.

Your physician will also discuss the potential benefits (and risks) of medical marijuana, helping you make an informed decision.

5. Receiving Your Card

If your physician determines that you qualify for legal medical cannabis use, they'll enter your information into Florida's official Medical Marijuana Use Registry, the MMUR. Next, you'll receive an email with your MMUR login credentials.

Once you're in the registry, you can apply for your medical cannabis ID card. This step may be completed online. Patients may also fill out (and mail) a paper application.

You'll need to include a non-refundable $75 fee with your application. This fee is mandated by the Florida Department of Health, and your application won't be processed without it.

6. Wait for Official Approval

As long as you've followed all preceding steps correctly, you should have no problem receiving your card. The Florida Department of Health typically processes applications within 7-10 business days after submission and payment.

You'll also receive an email confirmation once your application is approved.

7. Card Renewal

Medical marijuana cards must be renewed annually to stay current. Follow-up physician visits are also required every seven months. Subsequent visits and 7-month recertifications may be conducted via telehealth in qualifying cases.

It must be noted that Florida does not recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards. If you're an out-of-state patient, you must go through the full Florida application process to become a qualified patient in the state.

Start the Process

Following these steps correctly and understanding state regulations can help you successfully obtain a medical marijuana card in Florida. Start the process by talking to a doctor knowledgeable and qualified in this arena, including researching the advantages and disadvantages of this path.