What Qualifies You for a Medical Card In Florida?

There is a specific list of qualifying illnesses that enable you to get a medical marijuana card. These conditions are: 1 . Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS 2. Cancer 3. Crohn's disease 4. Chronic muscle spasms 5. Epilepsy or Seizures 6. Glaucoma 7. HIV/AIDS 8. Multiple sclerosis 9. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD 10. Parkinson's disease As you can see, the list of qualifying conditions is short and specific. However, there are also three extra additions on the list that aren't specific conditions. Florida also allows you to get a medical card if you have the following: 1. Medical conditions comparable or identical to others on the list. 2. A terminal condition, as diagnosed by a physician. This physician cannot be the one issuing the certification. 3. Chronic malignant pain that comes from a qualifying condition, whether the condition is usual for the condition or persists beyond it.

Can You Get Medical Marijuana for Anxiety in Florida?

Unfortunately, generalized anxiety disorder isn't one of the qualifying disorders. This may seem like bad news for a patient with anxiety, but because anxiety comes with its own physical symptoms, hope is not lost. If anxiety causes you to have seizures or chronic pains, you may still qualify for a medical card.

How Do You Find a Qualifying Physician?

Looking for a qualified physician to help you obtain a Florida medical card may appear challenging, but the prerequisites for becoming a "qualifying physician" are straightforward. The physician must have completed their medical education, which enables them to recognize and diagnose medical conditions, and complete a 2 hour training on medical cannabis. Use our handy Medical Cannabis Physician Finder to find a qualifying doctor near you.

Where Do You Apply for a Florida Medical Cannabis Card?

Once you’re diagnosed with a qualifying condition and have been approved for the program by your qualified physician, you must still register with the state. You can do so by filling out a simple application with the information provided to you by your doctor. Applications can be completed by hand and mailed in or submitted online.

How Much Does a Medical Card Cost in Florida?

Applying for a medical card will cost you an application fee of $75. Once you have your card, you will continue making $75 payments on an annual basis to the Office of Medical Marijuana Use, also known as the OMMU. Additionally, you must pay for the office visit when you visit a qualifying physician. Costs vary from recommending clinic to clinic, so be sure to do your research.

Do You Have to Be a Resident of Florida to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in the State?

Yes, to get a medical marijuana card in Florida, you have to be a resident of the state or a seasonal resident who can prove you have lived here for at least 30 days. Unfortunately, if you don't meet these requirements, you won't be able to apply for a medical marijuana card in this state.

What Does the Medical Card Registration Process Require?

In Florida you need a few things to properly register for a medical marijuana card. You'll need proof of residency, such as a driver’s license, state ID card, or a paper document. You will also need to supply a photo of yourself. Finally, you will need to provide a credit card to process your application fee.

How Long Does the Approval Process Take?

When you’re experiencing a serious medical or mental health condition, waiting to learn if you've been approved for medical marijuana treatment can seem difficult. The good news is that while it used to take several weeks for the OMMU to approve applications, things often proceed more quickly, often approximately 2 weeks.

How Do You Know If You’re Approved?

Once you’ve sent your application for a Florida medical marijuana card, you should check your email. The approval email will be sent by the Florida medical marijuana registry, also known as the MMUR. Once you receive this email, you can visit a dispensary with just your state-issued ID.

After I Receive My Card, Can I Buy Any Kind of Cannabis?

Not quite - in Florida, the program operates with open orders, which function as prescriptions filled on demand. Your recommending physician will certify you for the various forms of cannabis and the number of milligrams you’re eligible per order, which in the Florida program include: 1. Smoking marijuana 2. Edibles, in medical marijuana and/or low-THC 3. Inhalation, in medical marijuana and/or low-THC 4. Oral, in medical marijuana and/or low-THC 5. Sublingual, in medical marijuana and/or low-THC 6. Topical, in medical marijuana and/or low-THC These orders are valid for 70 days, except smokeable flower, which is valid for 35 days.

How Long Does a Medical Marijuana Card Remain Valid?

Medical cards only remain valid for a single year. When the year is about to end, you must pay a renewal fee of $75 to ensure your card remains valid for the next year. While you have a full year to use and enjoy the benefits of a medical marijuana card, you still need to keep in mind the expiration date and plan accordingly.

How Do You Renew Your Medical Marijuana Card?

Renewing the card is just as simple as applying for the card in the first place. In fact, it’s essentially the exact same application you’ve already sent to the OMMU. The key is to not delay this process. Ideally, you’ll want to begin the renewal process about a month in advance to ensure that you don't wind up with an expired card while you wait for your renewal. Fortunately, the OMMU emails you a few weeks ahead of time to allow you to plan properly.

Where Can You Find a Florida Medical Marijuana Dispensary?

MÜV has dozens of dispensaries located in cities throughout the state of Florida. Our locations range from Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale. Browse the MÜV store locator to find a Florida medical marijuana dispensary near you.

What Happens if You Lose a Medical Marijuana Card?

Unfortunately, important items like ID cards, credit cards, and medical marijuana cards are often easy to lose. To get your card replaced, you’ll have to file a change, replacement, or surrender request form with the state and pay a $15 fee.

Can You Use a Medical Cannabis Card from Another State?

Whether you're a resident of another state visiting Florida or had a medical card approved in another state before moving to Florida, you may be tempted to try to skip the approval process and use your current card. Unfortunately, this won't work. You can only use Florida state medical cards to purchase cannabis at a Florida dispensary. It's worth noting that you cannot convert another state medical card into a Florida card. The approval process is the same whether you have a card in another state or not.

What Are the Legalities of Edibles?

Edibles must be packaged appropriately, cannot be made to resemble commercially-available candy, and must not be brightly colored or appealing to children. Companies that manufacture edibles will be required to obtain an annual food permit. Edibles also cannot contain more than 200 mg of THC in a package or 10 mg of THC in a single serving.

What Are the Legalities of Smoking?

While you may smoke marijuana for an approved medicinal purpose in Florida, you may not smoke in any public location. You may only smoke at work if your employer permits it, but not in an enclosed work environment. A physician may supply a patient with three 70-day supply limits or six 35-day supply limits. You may only possess up to four ounces of dried cannabis flower at a time.

Can You Grow Your Own Supply of Medical Marijuana in Florida?

Unfortunately, regardless of whether or not you own a medical marijuana card, growing your own cannabis remains illegal in the state of Florida. This was not always the case. As recently as 2018, a person approved for medical marijuana could grow their own plants in the state under certain conditions. However, this regulation has since been overturned. As such, the only place in Florida medical marijuana patients can get their cannabis is from an approved dispensary.

What Happens if You’re Caught with Unapproved Marijuana in Florida?

The legalization of medical marijuana did not trigger the legalization of recreational cannabis in Florida. As a result, cannabis possession laws still apply, even for those with a medical card. For example, if you‘re a medical card holder found in possession of recreational cannabis from a non-approved seller or possess more than the legal amount, you can still be charged with possession. For example, if you’re caught with an unapproved quantity or type of marijuana product, you could be facing a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. It’s vital for everyone who uses medical marijuana to understand the regulations in place. Purchasing only products found at a reputable Florida dispensary is the best way to ensure you stay on the right side of the law.

Florida Medical Cannabis Card FAQs | FL Medical Marijuana

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When it comes to getting a medical marijuana card in Florida, far too many potential patients are unsure where to start. Currently, Florida's most basic rule for cannabis consumption in the state is rather simple: you can only use cannabis products for medical reasons. In order to get approved for medical marijuana use in the state, you must have a qualifying condition and be approved by a licensed recommending physician. Then, you can apply for a medical card and join the Florida medical marijuana registry.

So, how do you accomplish all of this? We’ve compiled all the details regarding how to get a medical card in Florida, what you can do once you have your card, and also what you can’t legally do. Since the actual cannabis laws in Florida can be difficult to parse, we’ve done the hard work. Here are the answers to your most common and pressing questions.

How To Get a Medical Card in Florida

First, you need to know whether or not you may qualify for a medical card and how to go through the process of securing one. There are a few questions you're likely to have about how this process works and what you can do to make it easier. What are the qualifying medical conditions? Can your physician help you get one? How do you get onto the Florida medical marijuana registry? We'll answer all of those questions in this section.

After You’re Approved for a Florida Medical Marijuana Card

Learning you've received approval for a Florida medical card is only the first step. There are regulations and laws in place that will guide what you can do after approval:

What Marijuana Products Are Legal in Florida?

The state of Florida approves specific cannabis products for medical marijuana patients only. The good news is that the list of approved products is broader than ever. It now includes edibles and smokables in addition to vapes, concentrates, topicals, and aerosols.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Medical Card?

Navigating the medical marijuana laws of Florida can seem intimidating, especially if you're new to the process. Still, after being approved by a qualified physician, going through the state’s approval process, and following all of the rules and regulations, very few people would say a medical card is more trouble than it’s worth.

Having a medical card in the state of Florida gives you plenty of benefits:

You’re Legally Protected

As long as you’re following the state regulations, you’ll be allowed to possess and carry your cannabis with you without having to worry about attracting the police or getting into legal trouble. Just avoid traveling across state lines with your cannabis to avoid breaking Florida and border state laws. Always carry your medical card with you to further avoid any unwanted questioning, and only medicate per state rules.

You’re Getting the Treatment You Need

As long as you’re following the state regulations, you’ll be allowed to possess and carry your cannabis with you without having to worry about attracting the police or getting into legal trouble. Just avoid traveling across state lines with your cannabis to avoid breaking Florida and border state laws. Always carry your medical card with you to further avoid any unwanted questioning, and only medicate per state rules.

Discover Top-Shelf Medical Marijuana in Florida

Medical marijuana has proven to be an effective alternative to other forms of medication for those seeking relief from a variety of ailments.

If you’re interested in the medicinal benefits of cannabis and are still unsure where to begin, feel free to fill out our free medical card assistance form and a member of our team will reach out to personally assist you.

Danyal Swan

Author

Content Manager for MÜV Florida and Contributor for Zen Leaf Dispensaries. A cannabis connoisseur with a passion for explaining the miraculous possibility of the plant, Swan began her journey with cannabis as a recreational user and quickly realized its positive impact on her depression and severe anxiety. She joined the cannabis industry as Receptionist and MedTender and witnessed first-hand the immense potential of the plant for a wide variety of ailments, deepening her passion for alternative medicine. Swan is dedicated to self-education on the plant and sharing its potential with all. She holds a Journalism degree from the University of Iowa.

FL Medical Marijuana Card FAQs