Friends have told you about the many amazing benefits of medical marijuana. You’ve done your research about how medical marijuana can treat the symptoms of your conditions. So, now what? How do you get a Florida medical marijuana card?
Let’s break it down!
No, you can’t just buy Florida medical marijuana from someone off the street. And, no, you can’t just walk into a Florida medical marijuana dispensary and buy what you need. In the state of Florida, you need to go through the process of getting your Florida medical marijuana card first. Then you can go to the dispensary and get everything you need!
Conditions That Qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card
The first thing you need to get a medical marijuana card in Florida is a qualifying condition. Which conditions may qualify for medical marijuana in Florida?
- Arthritis
- Anxiety
- Cancer
- Chronic muscle spasms
- Chronic back pain
- Chronic pain
- Epilepsy/Seizures
- Crohn’s Disease
- PTSD
- Insomnia
- Migraines
- Severe Nausea
- Neuropathy
Although not all medical conditions qualify you for a medical marijuana card, it’s worth consulting with a doctor to determine if your condition does. According to Senate Bill 8A, medical marijuana may be used for treatment of
- other “diagnosable, debilitating conditions of like, kind, or class” (such as anxiety, depression, and migraines)
- terminal conditions (diagnosed by a physician other than the physician issuing certification)
- chronic nonmalignant pain (defined as pain caused by a qualifying medical condition that persists beyond the usual course of that condition)
Who Qualifies For a Medical Marijuana Card in Florida?
Not everyone! So the other thing you need to know before you move forward with the process is that you must be able to prove Florida residency for your application to be accepted by the state of Florida. How do you prove that you are a resident of Florida?
The good news is that you can be a permanent or temporary resident, so if you are a snowbird and only live in Florida for part of the year, you can still get your card.
To establish permanent Florida residency, you must supply one of the following documents (along with a photo ID):
- Copy of a house deed or lease agreement
- Utility bill (no more than two months old)
- State ID or driver’s license
- Passport
If you’re not a permanent resident, Senate Bill 8A states that seasonal residents may also qualify. They define a seasonal resident as any person who
- temporarily resides in this state [Florida] for at least 31 consecutive days in each calendar year
- maintains a temporary residence in this state
- returns to the state or jurisdiction of his or her residence at least one time during each calendar year
- is registered to vote or pays income tax in another state or jurisdiction
Do you have a condition that may qualify, and you qualify as a resident? Then it’s time to get started!
How to Get a Florida Medical Marijuana Card
How does a patient get a medical marijuana card?
1. See your current primary care physician.
Although they may not be the ones to make the recommendation, having a primary care doctor provide you with your medical history and diagnosis of your current condition can be very helpful in getting your card.
2. Make an appointment with a medical marijuana doctor.
In order to recommend or prescribe medical marijuana in Florida, doctors must be licensed. So you can’t just go to any doctor to get a prescription. At your appointment, your doctor will go over your medical history and current ailment to see if you qualify. Your doctor will give you a customized treatment plan with specific goals and milestones for symptom management. You are required to meet these goals to keep your card.
If you are approved for a card, your medical marijuana doctor will make a recommendation to the Florida Department of Health and enter your information into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry.
You can also use this time to ask any questions you may have about medical marijuana treatment.
3 Sign up and wait
The Florida Department of Health will issue you with website login credentials for the Medical Marijuana Use Registry. At this point, you pay the state-required fee of $75 online and complete your application.
It can take 7-21 business days for the Florida Department of Health to send approval confirmation via email. But once you have it, you can begin purchasing medical marijuana products. You don’t even have to wait for your official medical marijuana card to arrive in the mail!
How Much Does a Florida Medical Marijuana Card Cost?
You are responsible for the cost of each visit to your medical marijuana doctor and the $75 fee required for the card.
Staying Legal
To keep purchasing medical marijuana products, you must follow the rules. Florida medical marijuana cards are only valid for 210 days, which means that every 30 weeks you must attend follow-up visits with the same licensed provider that provided you with your prescription. We suggest that you book this appointment prior to your card expiring so that your card does not go inactive.
How Much Does it Cost to Renew My Florida Medical Marijuana Card?
When you renew your Medical Marijuana ID Card, you must submit a $75 annual fee to the Florida State Office of Medical Marijuana Use. The total cost, including doctor’s visits, is around $500 per year to keep your card.
Feeling a little overwhelmed?
Doing something for the first time is always a little overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to help! Not only do we have licensed medical marijuana doctors and a staff that knows their stuff, but we also strive to create a compassionate and welcoming environment so that you have the best experience possible. Whether you’re sure you qualify for a card or are still seeking answers, we’re here for you. Contact us for a consultation today!