Cannabis had been an illicit substance in Florida since the 1930s, when both the Tampa Bay Times and Tampa police tried to pin the blame for a family’s murder on the use of cannabis. Soon after, harsh marijuana prohibition was passed in the State as part of the wave of panic over "Reefer Madness" in the country.
It wasn't until the mid-2010s that legalization began in Florida. In 2014, Governor Rick Scott passed the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, which legalized low-THC (<0.8%) CBD oil for the first time.
There was a significant push following the passing of this bill to place a medical cannabis legalization option on the 2016 ballot. These efforts were successful when the Florida Right To Try Act was expanded, which allowed terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana treatments.
Not long after, Florida voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of the 2016 medical marijuana ballot initiative. Florida quickly became one of the largest medical marijuana markets in the country, valued at $1.8 billion, and it is projected to grow significantly in the future.
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How Do I Become a Medical Cannabis Patient in Florida?
Getting a Florida medical marijuana card takes just a few quick steps.
1.) Receive a diagnosis for an eligible qualifying medical condition
To become a Florida MMJ patient, you first must receive a diagnosis for a qualifying condition by a state-licensed evaluating physician. If a licensed Florida doctor confirms you have a qualifying condition, they’ll enter your information into the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry where you'll complete your online application and pay the state fee.
2.) Finish your state registration
Visit the Florida registry website to finish your registration. The state may take a few days to approve your application, and you can make your first purchase as soon as you receive your approval email. Your physical FL medical card will arrive in the mail a few days later.
3.) Use your newly received med card at your local dispensary:
Once you receive your registry card from the OMMU, you are legally entitled to use one of the licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTC) throughout Florida.
During your medical evaluation, your physician will have prescribed a specific amount of medicinal cannabis. The MMTC can and will only fill MMJ orders outlined by this prescription.
How Fast Can I Get a Med Card in Florida?
Florida usually takes 5–10 business days to review a med card application. Some patients are approved faster and can start shopping immediately using the temporary card emailed to them. NuggMD expedites the process by connecting you to a licensed doctor as fast as the same day.
How Do I Renew a FL Medical Marijuana Card?
MMJ patients in Florida must renew their registry cards with the State every year. Renewals must occur within 45 days of your registry card's expiration date.
You can renew your Florida medical cannabis card quickly and easily online. Simply send a renewal application on the MMU registry website.
Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card in Florida?
To qualify for a medical marijuana card in Florida, you must be a permanent or seasonal resident and have a qualifying medical condition. Common conditions include PTSD, cancer, epilepsy, and others of similar severity. A licensed Florida doctor must determine eligibility and submit your recommendation to the state.
Does Anxiety Qualify for a Med Card in Florida?
Yes — in Florida, doctors can approve medical cannabis for conditions similar in severity to those listed in the law. Many licensed physicians recognize anxiety as a qualifying condition, especially when it significantly impacts your daily life or treatment options.
How to Find a Florida Medical Marijuana Doctor for an Evaluation
It may still be difficult for some Florida patients to find evaluating physicians in their local areas.
NuggMD has partnered with dozens of state-licensed medical cannabis doctors to help current and prospective Florida patients receive their evaluation safely and privately.
It is recommended you bring applicable medical records and any questions you may have to your in-person medical evaluation. Forms you may need include:
Patient records,
Current prescriptions or medications,
Physical therapy records,
Medical test results,
Hospital records.
The process is straightforward enough but can be stressful and time-consuming when handling it on your own. Turning to NuggMD Florida helps expedite the process, allowing you to focus on getting better, not setting up appointments and doing paperwork.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Med Card in Florida?
The cost to get your medical marijuana card in Florida typically includes a physician consultation, which ranges from $150–$200, plus a $77.75 state application fee. While the total cost can vary, NuggMD makes it simple by clearly outlining all fees upfront, ensuring no surprises. We offer low evaluation costs and a streamlined process so you can start your consultation quickly and easily. Plus, only pay if you're approved.
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of a Med Card in Florida?
No. Because cannabis is federally illegal, medical cannabis evaluations and state application fees are not covered by insurance in Florida. Patients are responsible for paying out of pocket for the doctor's visit and the state registration fee.
Get Your Medical Cannabis Recommendation Online: The NuggMD Process
Florida allows patients to be evaluated for a medical marijuana card online without needing an in-person appointment.
Connect with your evaluating physician directly online in as little as 15 minutes.
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Get Your Florida Medical Card Online
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What to Expect When Talking to a Florida Medical Marijuana Doctor
Speaking with a medical cannabis doctor is similar to getting an evaluation with your primary care physician. Be open about your symptoms, how they affect your quality of life, and what treatments you’ve tried. There’s no need for a specific phrase — just be honest. Your doctor will review your medical history and determine if cannabis might help.
Our practitioners are dedicated to helping patients like you get the support they need, and they understand the potential applications of medical cannabis and how to incorporate cannabis into a new or existing treatment regimen safely.
The evaluating physician on NuggMD will ask you about your current medications or treatments. They’ll answer any questions you may have. In some cases, depending on your situation, they may require additional records or information before approving you for medical cannabis.
What Types of Cannabis Products Are Available in Florida?
Medical marijuana patients in Florida have access to cannabis in vapor, capsules, tinctures, oils, topical, intranasal, transdermal, suppository, and smokable (plant flower) forms.
What is the Monthly Limit for Medical Marijuana in Florida?
Patients in Florida may receive up to 2.5 ounces of smokable cannabis every 35 days. Other forms like oils or capsules are dispensed according to the dosage recommended by your doctor. You can only purchase what’s been approved in your doctor’s order.
What Does Marijuana Feel Like?
Cannabis use can have a wide range of effects depending on the product, dosage, and consumer. While doses that are too strong may result in adverse effects like dry mouth or dizziness, consuming cannabis with the support of a qualified medical practitioner has the potential to boost a patient’s mood and promote relaxation.
Other common effects include:
Increased sense of calm or relaxation, both physical and mental,
Lowered energy and a greater desire to sleep,
Everything seems a little funnier,
Altered perception of time,
Increased hunger,
Greater difficulty concentrating,
Momentary memory loss
It is also possible to feel adverse effects after using marijuana, especially after consuming a particularly high dose. These adverse effects vary by user but may include
Anxiety
Nausea
Vomiting
Paranoia
It's always best when using marijuana to start low and go slow to avoid potentially adverse and uncomfortable effects from consuming too much. Everyone experiences the effects of marijuana a little differently. That’s why it’s important to seek the guidance of a qualified practitioner. And if you're new to using medical cannabis, it may be helpful to have a friend with you the first few times in case you have any questions or concerns about how you are feeling.
What If My Dose Is Too High?
Despite your best efforts, there may be a time when you consume too strong a dose. Don't panic; there's nothing to be embarrassed about, and the effects you experience are temporary.
If this happens, there are steps you can take to lower anxiety and help yourself “sober up” faster.
If your prescribed dosages are too much, don't hesitate to reach out to your evaluating physician to get them adjusted to a more appropriate level.
Have More Questions About How to Get Your Med Card in Florida?
The NuggMD customer service team is also always available to help answer any cannabis questions you may have about getting or using your med card. We have helped more than 2,000,000 people throughout the country become medical marijuana patients. Every evaluating physician on our platform is fully licensed in the state and qualified to provide medical cannabis evaluations, so you can trust that you are receiving white glove service and care.
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The NuggMD Promise
We are a team of cannabis and technology professionals focused on connecting you with state-licensed doctors. We believe all people deserve access to medical cannabis if they think it might improve their quality of life. Since our founding in 2015, we’ve held ourselves and our partners to the highest standards to ensure every patient we serve is able to access reliable cannabis information, trustworthy medical practitioners, and proactive updates on the cannabis healthcare ecosystem and legislation that may affect their experience as a medical cannabis patient.
Whether you’re a cannabis connoisseur or thinking of becoming a first-time medical marijuana patient, our network of doctors will listen to your needs and give you an honest opinion about whether they think cannabis can help.
