How to get a medical marijuana card in Florida: Here’s everything you need to know
Since voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 2 in 2016 with 71.3% of the vote, medical marijuana has been legal, and popular, in Florida.
It had a shaky start. The first attempts failed, and even after the amendment was passed smoking medical marijuana was initially still banned, despite public outcry. A circuit court judge ruled the ban unconstitutional two years later and the Florida Department of Health updated its regulations to allow edible products in 2020.
Since then medical marijuana dispensaries have exploded across the state.
As of March, 2024, there are currently 22 different cannabis companies set up with dispensaries — the biggest, TruLieve, has 133, with 74 MüV locations, 64 Ayr Cannabis Dispensaries and 61 Curaleaf locations — and at least five more are planning to open up in Florida, including nationally known Planet 13.
In the single week ending March 15, Florida's dispensaries dispensed 110 thousand ounces of smokable marijuana, and 332,530,386 mgs of THC overall, according to the state's Department of Health, Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). A 2023 study by cannabis advocate Leafwell found that Florida was the state with the highest interest in medical marijuana in the U.S. by a wide margin, based on Google searches, with an average of 231 monthly searches per 100,000 residents.
How do I get a medical marijuana card in Florida?
Step 1: Get diagnosed by a qualified physician.
Step 2: If you qualify, the physician will enter you into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry (MMUR).
Step 3: Log into the MMUR and apply for an ID card, or print out an application form and mail it in. You'll need a copy of your Florida driver license or Florida ID card, or other proof of residency. If you; 're applying only you'll be able to use your driver license picture from the state, otherwise you'll have to include a full-face, 2"x2" passport-type color photo taken within the 90 days before the application. There is a registration fee of $75.
That's it. Once you receive your card you can visit any medical marijuana dispensary in the state.
Who can buy medical marijuana in Florida?
A person may apply for a Medical Marijuana ID Card if they meet the following requirements:
You must be a permanent or seasonal Florida resident
You must be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition
If you are not a patient but care for one, you can apply for a Medical Marijuana Caregiver ID Card for that person. You will be permitted to order, purchase and transport — but not use — medical marijuana on their behalf. Caregivers must be 21 or older and complete a caregiver certification course every two years. If you are not a close relative of the patient, you must pass a background screening.
Can minors get a medical marijuana card in Florida?
There are no age limits, but minors must be diagnosed by two physicians and have "the "voluntary, written, informed consent from the patient or their legal guardian," according to the OMMU.
If you are under 18, you may not smoke cannabis unless you have been diagnosed with a terminal condition.
What are the qualifying medical conditions for a medical marijuana card in Florida?
Cancer
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Crohn’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Medical conditions of the same kind or class, or comparable to the ones listed above
A terminal condition (must be diagnosed by a physician either than the one issuing the certification for the card)
Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition or that originates from a qualifying medical condition and persists beyond the usual course of that qualifying medical condition
Do I need to see a doctor to renew my medical marijuana card in Florida?
Yes. According to state law, you must keep an active Florida Medical Marijuana certification by seeing a qualified physician every seven months (210 days) for an evaluation.
In June. Gov. DeSantis signed a bill into law allowing Florida medical marijuana cardholders to renew their certifications through telehealth services, but only if they were previously certified.
How much does it cost to get a medical marijuana card in Florida?
Registration is $75. Your card must be renewed every year within 45 days of the card's expiration for an additional $75. This is in addition to whatever your physician may charge for an office visit.
Medical marijuana, since it is still illegal as far as the Federal Government is concerned, is not covered by Medicare.
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How do I find a qualified physician to get a medical marijuana card in Florida?
The OMMU maintains a list, or you can use their physician search tool. There are currently 2,640 qualified physicians in Florida.
Is it difficult to get medical marijuana in Florida?
If you qualify, the process is relatively painless.
How much medical marijuana can I buy in Florida?
Your physician will determine the proper amount for your condition, and every sale from a medical marijuana dispensary will be tracked by the state against the total you are allowed.
According to Florida Statute 381.986, a qualified physician may not issue a physician certification for more than three 70-day supply limits of marijuana or more than six 35-day supply limits of marijuana in a form for smoking, and a 35-day supply for smokable marijuana must be 2.5 ounces or less. Other forms of marijuana have their own limits, according to the state's 64ER22-8 2023 Dosing and Supply Limits for Medical Marijuana:
Edibles: Daily dose amount is 60mg THC, with a 4,200mg THC 70-day supply limit
Inhalation (e.g. vapes): Daily dose amount is 350mg THC, with a 24,500mg THC 70-day supply limit
Oral (e.g. capsules, tinctures): Daily dose amount is 200mg THC, with a 14,000mg THC 70-day supply limit
Sublingual (e.g. sublingual tinctures): Daily dose amount is 190mg THC, with a 13,300mg THC 70-day supply limit
Suppository: Daily dose amount is 195mg THC, with a 13,650mg THC 70-day supply limit
Topical (e.g. creams): Daily dose amount is 150mg THC, with a 10,500mg THC 70-day supply limit
Marijuana in a form for smoking: Daily dose amount is 2.025 grams
You may not possess more than 4 ounces of smokable marijuana. A qualified physician may request an exception to the daily dose amount limit, the 35-day supply limit of marijuana in a form for smoking, and the 4-ounce possession limit of smokable marijuana if warranted.
How many people use medical marijuana in Florida?
The OMMU lists 876,716 qualified patients with an active Medical Marijuana ID Card as of March 15.
How many medical marijuana dispensaries are in Florida? How do I find one near me?
As of March 15, the state's Department of Health, Office of Medical Marijuana Use lists 625 licensed dispensaries in Florida, up from 590 half a year ago. You can search for one near you at knowthefactsmmj.com/mmtc/#search
Depending on your location, some dispensaries may deliver.
Can I go to any dispensary in Florida with a medical card?
Yes. At the point of sale the dispensary staff will register your sale with the state, which will count against your allowable limit.
Can I use my medical marijuana card from another state in Florida?
No. The state of Florida does not offer reciprocity. Possession of marijuana, a Schedule 1 substance under state and federal law, by anyone besides a resident or temporary resident with a valid Florida medical marijuana ID card is still illegal.
Do I need to go to a medical marijuana dispensary to buy CBD products?
If the CBD item is a low-THC product derived from hemp with less than 035mg THC per serving or 2mg of total THC per package, you can buy it at any licensed retail or convenience store in Florida. CBD products with higher levels of THC must be sold through a licensed marijuana dispensary,
Is recreational marijuana legal in Florida?
No. But there may be a recreational marijuana amendment on the ballot in 2024.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Medical Marijuana in Florida: How to get an ID card, what to know
