As criminal defense attorneys who represent people accused of drug use and possession, we are frequently asked about the process of obtaining a medical marijuana card. While the procedure is simple, the benefit of a medical marijuana card is only available to patients who have a qualifying medical condition. This post will go over how to apply for a medical marijuana card in Florida.
A medical marijuana legalization initiative in Florida
More than 60 percent of Florida voters supported the Florida medical marijuana legalization initiative, also known as amendment 2. Prior to the passage of amendment 2, Florida had a medical marijuana law, but it only applied to terminally ill patients with less than a year to live. Amendment 2 broadened the law to include additional medical conditions such as cancer, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and chron’s disease. Patients may be prescribed medical marijuana under the amendment if the prescribing physician believes that the benefits outweigh the risks to their health.
Individuals with a medical marijuana card are not permitted by law to smoke marijuana flowers. Furthermore, growing your own marijuana is still illegal. Medical marijuana cardholders can instead consume cannabis in the form of edibles or vaping pens, oils, sprays, or pills purchased from a state-licensed dispensary.
Applying for a Florida medical marijuana card
You must be a Florida resident to obtain a medical marijuana card. You must show proof of residencies, such as a driver’s license, a state-issued identification card, a passport, or another form of photo identification. If you live in another state, you may still be able to obtain a medical marijuana card. The Florida department of health, on the other hand, issues medical marijuana cards to non-residents on a case-by-case basis.
Aside from establishing residency, the first step in obtaining a Florida medical marijuana card is obtaining your previous medical records. Then, obtain a signed physician’s statement from a doctor who is registered with the state of Florida’s medical marijuana use registry and also has a medical marijuana license. You must be a patient of the doctor for at least three months before the physician’s statement is valid.
You can apply for a medical marijuana card after receiving a diagnosis from a qualified physician. However, before you can receive a medical marijuana card, the prescribing physician must enter your name and information into the marijuana use registry, which is run by us department of health. Once you have been officially added to the registry, you can apply for your medical marijuana card.
What happens once you have a medical marijuana card?
Once you have a medical marijuana card, you can purchase medical marijuana from a licensed medical marijuana treatment centre in Florida. You cannot grow your own marijuana even if you have a medical marijuana card. Only Florida-licensed dispensing organizations are permitted to grow and sell marijuana.
If you are looking to get a medical marijuana card in Florida, you will need the help of a doctor. There are several ways to find a doctor who can help you. You can visit the website of Doctors of Cannabis or speak with a representative who will help you locate a doctor who is approved to prescribe medical marijuana. You can also call the toll-free number for Doctors of Cannabis and ask for help locating a doctor.