Marijuana has long been an illegal substance in the state of Florida since its original prohibition in the 1930s. In 1933, a young man named Victor Licata had murdered his parents and siblings while they were sleeping. At the time, the Tampa Bay Times and the Tampa police department blamed Licata's use of marijuana for the murders. They, and other Florida newspapers, used this pretense to push for the substance's strict prohibition.
Since then, marijuana has remained a Scheduled substance with harsh penalties attached to its possession. Things began to change, however, around 2014, when Governor Rick Scott legalized CBD oil with the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act.
During this same time, the first serious efforts began to put a medical marijuana initiative on the ballot that would allow access for patients with certain qualifying conditions. These efforts came into fruition in 2016, when the Right To Try Act was expanded to include the use of medicinal cannabis for terminal patients.
That same year, Amendment 2 was approved, and the question regarding the legality of MMJ was put on the 2016 ballot. Then, in November of that year, Florida voters passed the measure with an overwhelming margin, 71.3% against 28.7%. The initiative had massive support. The initiative treated medical marijuana much like a pharmaceutical medication. The state also banned smoking marijuana flower.
Finally, Florida's marijuana smoking ban was ruled unconstitutional before it was repealed in 2019. Florida now has a booming medical marijuana industry with more than a $2 billion potential, and efforts are underway to fully legalize the plant for adult use.
Florida is a southeastern state located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. With over 21 million residents to its name, it is the third most populated state in the United States.
Florida was first named by the Spanish explorer Ponce de León who called it the "land of flowers." Following wars by the U.S. military against the local Seminole tribes, the state was admitted into the Union in 1845.
Now, residents and visitors flock to Florida's sunny beaches and beautiful weather. It is a famously popular tourist attraction for both American and international visitors alike. Some of the most notable attractions are Walt Disney World Resort, the Everglades National Park, SeaWorld, Universal Resort, Busch Gardens, the Salvador Dali Museum, Miami's Art Deco Historic District, the Kennedy Space Center, and Key West.
About NuggMD
NuggMD is an online telehealth platform that allows medical marijuana patients to be connected with state-licensed weed doctors in their local area. Every one of our partnering physicians is trained and informed about the medicinal uses and benefits of cannabis. Through the use of remote video conferencing, NuggMD is the perfect platform to provide private, one-on-one marijuana appointments with a qualified physician in your local area.
NuggMD is the top virtual platform for physicians to use for medical marijuana evaluations. We've partnered with medical marijuana doctors in New York, Nevada, and Missouri, California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Thus far, we've connected hundreds of thousands of potential patients with the most knowledgeable and humane cannabis practitioners. Our mission at NuggMD is to help qualified medical patients get the medical marijuana recommendations they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Medical Marijuana in Florida
What government department is responsible for medical marijuana in Florida?
The Florida Department of Health is the department that is charged with the oversight of medical marijuana in Florida.
Is there a list of qualified conditions in Florida?
Yes. Here is the list in full:
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Epilepsy
- Crohn's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- PTSD
- Parkinson's disease
- ALS
- Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to the others listed.
- A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the physician certification.
- 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.
Is smokable medical marijuana allowed in Florida?
Yes, smokable medical marijuana was explicitly legalized by the 2019 Florida MMJ legislation.
When can I get medical marijuana edibles in Florida?
Edibles were only recently approved for consumption in Florida. They became available on August 27, 2020. In order to purchase edibles, Florida medical marijuana patients must be approved by their physician. Physicians can add edibles to already-existing certifications by request, so there is no need for a patient to be re-certified before they can receive edibles.
Where can I find qualified health professionals who are licensed for MMJ in Florida?
The OMMU maintains a list of medical marijuana doctors who have completed the required training necessary to recommend medical marijuana. Patients and their caregivers can also take advantage of the Medical Marijuana Qualified Physician Search tool, which allows them to find a qualified physician by their specific location and specialty.
What does Florida's mean when they say "medical conditions of the same kind or class" in their qualifying conditions?
The Florida MMJ constitutional amendment allows its state-licensed weed doctors to certify medical conditions of the same class of the specific qualifying conditions. As such, many common chronic illnesses and symptoms are allowed to be registered for medicinal cannabis treatments. If you're considering medical marijuana for your medical conditions, feel free to seek a consultation from a licensed weed doctor in your local area.
Are there limits on the amount of marijuana I can buy in Florida?
Along with an MMJ registration, patients will receive information about particular dosages and approved delivery methods. In most cases, medical marijuana doctors will issue a prescription with a certification for inhalation, oral, topical, and smokable cannabis. However, if smokable marijuana presents too great a risk to the specific medical condition, it will be excluded from the prescription. Medical marijuana patients can receive orders for up to 70 days of marijuana at once. Yet, patients are limited to purchasing only 2.5 ounces within 35 days. Patients are also only allowed to possess 4 ounces.
Do I have to be a Florida resident to get a medical marijuana card in Florida?
Only full-time or seasonal residents are allowed to become medical marijuana patients in Florida. A seasonal resident is anyone who lives in the state for at least 31 consecutive days every year.
What documents are acceptable for proof of residency in Florida?
Qualifying patients who are both full-time and seasonal residents must provide proof of residency during the application. For full-time residents, a copy of their Florida driver's license or state ID is required alongside their Medical Marijuana Use Registry application. Seasonal residents, on the other hand, are required to present two of the following:
* A property deed,
* A mortgage statement or payment document,
* A lease for an apartment,
* Proof of address for the parents, step-parents, or the legal guardians of the patient,
* A utility, internet, or phone bill from within 2 months of the application date,
* A bank statement, or
* Any mail from any government office or agency, dated 2 months of the application date.
Can my medical marijuana be picked up by someone else in Florida?
Patients' medical marijuana prescriptions can be picked up by others. However, only individuals who are legally allowed to do so are the patients' designated caregivers. If you believe that you may benefit from a caregiver's assistance, you may assign a qualifying individual of your choice. Only residents who meet the following conditions are eligible to become caregivers:
* 21 years of age or older
* Has passed the state caregiver certification course.
* Can pass a criminal background check
* Is not currently a licensed weed doctor or an employee of a Florida dispensary
* Must be explicitly designated by the applying patient as their caregiver, or
* Has proof of Legal Representation such as health care surrogate or legal guardianship
Where can I purchase my marijuana in Florida?
Medical marijuana patients are only allowed to purchase their medicinal cannabis from licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers or dispensaries. Usually, patients will buy their marijuana directly from the dispensary, but delivery services are also allowed in Florida.
If I am an MMJ patient in another state, can I buy medical marijuana in Florida?
No. Only MMJ patients registered in Florida can use or purchase medical marijuana in the state.
Am I allowed to grow my own medical marijuana in Florida?
Currently, no. Florida's MMJ legislation does not legalize the cultivation of marijuana for personal use.
Can I buy medicinal cannabis while traveling to other medical states?
In some instances, yes, in others, no. Some states allow out-of-state patients to purchase MMJ in their home-state, but others don't. Be sure to check the particular regulations for the jurisdictions in which you're traveling. Also, don't try to bring medical marijuana from another state into Florida because it's illegal to carry any type of marijuana, even your own medical marijuana, across state lines.
Do I have to smoke my MMJ in Florida?
No. Florida's MMJ legislation does not mandate the need for smoking medical marijuana. Patients can choose to consume their cannabis through vaporization, oral, topical, and other methods.
