How to Get Medical Cannabis In Florida

Medical marijuana FloridaIs Medical Cannabis Legal in Florida?

Yes! The Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act of 2014 permitted limited use of medical cannabis, but in November 2016, Florida passed the less restrictive Amendment 2 with 71% majority. Amendment 2 legalized the medical use of cannabis.

Which conditions are covered under Florida’s Amendment 2?

Florida’s “Compassionate Medical Marijuana Act of 2014” was restrictive and only allowed patients with cancer or conditions causing chronic seizures to receive low-THC cannabis and medical cannabis was only given to patients with terminal illness. The less restrictive Amendment 2 encompasses the list of eligible conditions to:

  • Lou Gehrig’s Disease
  • AIDS/HIV
  • Epilepsy
  • Parkinson’s
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Glaucoma
  • Cancer

Terminal Illness

  • Seizures
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Chronic muscle spasms
  • Or other conditions which have the same symptoms/severity, determined by a physician’s opinion that the use of medical cannabis would surpass any potential health risks

What are the Florida medical cannabis laws and where can I get medical cannabis?

According to Florida medical cannabis laws to obtain medical cannabis:

1) Patients must be 18 years old, a resident of Florida, with valid Florida identification. If you do not have a Florida I.D., another photo I.D. with proof of residency will be accepted.

2) Patients must bring legitimate medical records from the primary care physician, describing the diagnosis, to the cannabis evaluation appointment.

3) The patient must be diagnosed by a physician certified by the State of Florida to recommend medical cannabis, in addition to being a patient of the doctor during the immediate preceding 3 months prior to the diagnosis.

4) Qualifying patients are required to register with the Florida Department of Health under the Office of Compassionate Use.

5) Because cannabis prescriptions are illegal under federal law, only medical cannabis physicians and licensed dispensing organizations are able to supply qualifying patients with medical cannabis.

Find your local licensed dispensing organization here.

Medical cannabis prescriptions are illegal due to federal laws on cannabis. This means that you will only be able to obtain medical cannabis through a qualifying doctor or licensed dispensing organization.

If you want to become a low-THC medical cannabis patient in Florida, the approved conditions are cancer, conditions that cause severe seizures and muscle spasms, or “symptoms of cancer or any other physical conditions that produces chronic symptoms or severe seizures and muscle spasm” (https://www.cannabisdoctors.com/medical-cannabis/FL/qualification).

The process of obtaining a low-THC medical cannabis card is:

1) Patients must be 18 years old, a resident of Florida, with valid Florida identification. If you do not have a Florida I.D., another photo I.D. with proof of residency will be accepted.

2) Patients, or legal guardians, must provide the physician with written informed consent.

3) All patients will be registered with the Compassionate Use Registry by the ordering physician. The physician must enter the patient’s order for low-THC cannabis.

Under Florida medical cannabis laws, the use of medical cannabis does not include:

  • Possession, use or administration of medical cannabis by smoking
  • Transfer of medical cannabis to a person other than the qualified patient for whom it was ordered, or their legal representative

Use or administration of medical cannabis on any public transportation, in public space, in qualified patient’s place of employment (if restricted by employer), in state correctional institutions, on the grounds of preschools, primary and secondary schools or on any school bus or vehicle

Medical cannabis, including low-THC cannabis, can only be consumed in the following ways:

  • Vaporized (heated until active ingredients are released, but no smoke it formed)
  • Capsules
  • Tinctures
  • Oils
  • Creams
  • Sprays
  • Edible forms

What is the difference between low-THC cannabis and medical cannabis?

Low-THC medical cannabis contains low amounts of THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, and is more calming. It does not produce the well-known “high” that is commonly associated with cannabis. Patients that qualify for low-THC medical cannabis include cancer and conditions that cause severe seizures and muscle spasms. Medical cannabis contains higher levels of THC, giving the patients the “high.” The eligible conditions for medical cannabis use include:

  •   Terminal illness
  •   Epilepsy
  •   Glaucoma
  •   AIDS/HIV
  •   Crohn’s disease
  •   Parkinson’s
  •   Multiple Sclerosis
  • Lou Gehrig’s disease

For more information about Medical Cannabis in Florida or how you could be eligible click here. You can also contact us by calling (727) 202-4325.