A Guide to the Florida Medical Marijuana Laws
Are you curious about getting your medical marijuana card? Do you already benefit from the use of medical marijuana?
Either way, it is important that you know and understand the Florida medical marijuana laws.
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the laws surrounding medical marijuana in the state of Florida.
What Is Medical Marijuana in Florida?
Marijuana grows from the cannabis plant, and many people use it to help relieve the symptoms of many medical conditions.
The Federal Drug Administration also proved that medical marijuana could treat two forms of epilepsy, and it can help ease issues like nausea, chronic pain, and vomiting.
Medical marijuana works to help patients because of its active chemicals called cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids share similar traits to the chemicals found naturally in our body that interact with appetite, pain, movement, and memory.
In the state of Florida, medical marijuana differs from the illegal use of recreational marijuana because a licensed medical doctor prescribes it.
Also, according to the law, unless you are terminally ill, you can only legally buy and use low-THC cannabis. Marijuana is considered to be low-THC cannabis when it has 8% or less of THC and 10% or more of CBD.
Any form of delivery for medical marijuana is legal in Florida. This includes edibles, flower, capsules, and topicals. Concentrated forms of medical marijuana are also allowed. These include oils, shatter, wax, and dabs.
Who Is Eligible for Medical Marijuana?
In order to receive orders for medical marijuana from a physician or to receive a medical marijuana card, you must be eligible.
Medical marijuana eligibility in the sunny state of Florida is based on certain conditions. If you have one or more of the following medical conditions, you may be eligible to be prescribed medical marijuana:
- Cancer
- AIDS or an HIV positive status
- Chronic nonmalignant pain
- PTSD
- Parkinson’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Crohn’s disease
- ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
You may also be eligible for orders to get medical marijuana if you have a medical condition that is similar to those listed above or if you have a terminal condition that has been diagnosed by a secondary physician.
Florida physicians have granted the use of medical marijuana to patients who have conditions like
- Severe anxiety
- Depression
- Chronic nausea or vomiting
- Migraines
- Insomnia
- Restless leg syndrome
- Diabetes
- Muscular dystrophy
In addition to having a condition that makes you eligible, you will need to provide other information to qualify to use medical marijuana in the state of Florida.
This information includes proof of address via ID or driver’s license and proof that you live in the state of Florida for more than 30 consecutive days a year.
What Are the Florida Medical Marijuana Laws?
In 2014, the state of Florida partially legalized the use of medical marijuana for qualifying patients through the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014. In doing so, Florida became the 22nd state to legalize medical marijuana.
In 2016, voters approved the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, which was also known as Amendment 2. It was formerly placed on the ballot in 2014, but it did not receive the required amount of votes.
However, when it was passed in 2016, 71% of voters approved the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative.
State Bill 307, which was also passed in 2016, extended the eligibility of medical marijuana use to terminally ill patients.
Obtaining and Possessing Medical Marijuana
According to Senate Bill 8A, you must be a qualified patient to receive medical marijuana legally.
It defines a qualified patient as someone who is a resident of the state of Florida, is on the medical marijuana use registry, and is qualified for a medical marijuana card.
The medical marijuana card is valid for 12 months, and you will need to renew it every year.
When you go to obtain medical marijuana, you can only legally buy it from state-licensed dispensaries known as Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers in the state of Florida.
If you have been prescribed medical marijuana by a doctor, you may legally possess up to four ounces of medical marijuana.
Even if you have received orders for medical marijuana products, you are not allowed to use them in many public spaces, including public transport, your workplace, or at schools.
When driving, you can legally have medical marijuana in your car, but it must be in its original packaging and cannot be used during driving. You also cannot take medical marijuana across Florida’s state line.
Privacy of Using Medical Marijuana
When you register to use medical marijuana, those records are not public. However, law enforcement does have access to your medical marijuana records.
Their access can prove that you legally have the right to possess marijuana in the state of Florida in legal cases.
Laws Surrounding Caregivers
In the state of Florida, medical marijuana users can have caregivers that assist them with their medical marijuana usage.
These caregivers must be at least 21 years old. The Department of Health must also give them a caregiver identification card.
Finding a Medical Marijuana Physician
Knowing what the Florida medical marijuana laws are and understanding how they affect you as a patient is an important aspect of your medical care.
We at The Herbal Clinic, MD know these laws well, and we understand how important it is that you understand them as well.
If you are looking for a Tampa medical marijuana doctor who is experienced and dedicated to providing you with the quality care you deserve, look no further than The Herbal Clinic, MD’s lead physician, Mark N. Hashim, M.D.
Please contact us today for further information about Florida medical marijuana laws or to schedule an appointment.
