The Low Down On Cannabis in Florida
Medical use of Cannabis / Marijuana is legal in Florida. This article explains who qualifies, how to obtain and apply for your Medical Marijuana Card (MMJ card) in the state of Florida. In addition, to things you should know. If you have questions as to CBD / THC or other components of the cannabis plant and if Medical grade is necessary please see my blog post "Let's Talk About CBD".
Who qualifies for a MMJ card? Below are a list of qualifying conditions.
Cancer
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Lou Gehrig’s disease
Crohn’s disease
Chronic seizures
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those listed above
A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the certification Chronic nonmalignant pain
It is important to know that "Medical conditions of the same kind or class" means that if you suffer from symptoms related to any of the above conditions that would qualify. In other words, some people suffer from insomnia which is a symptoms to PTSD. You don't need to be diagnosed or suffer from PTSD.
STEP 1 - Make an appointment and obtain medical records. There are 3 simple steps:
Find a qualified doctor. A qualified doctor must meet state requirements such as an active medical license in good standing and completion of an approved medical marijuana curriculum
Make an appointment
Bring your medical records with you
Medical records are required to validate your symptoms. If you bring your medical records with you to your appointment if will save time. Most practices can and will request your medical records for you in case you do not have them. Once you are qualified your qualified Medical Marijuana doctor will discuss with you the different forms of delivery mechanism for your medicine. The doctor will recommend several forms of delivery that will be valid for a period of 7 months. The doctor will enter your information into the Florida registry (confirm that he/she does that). Your state ID must match what is entered into the Florida registry.
STEP 2 - Go to your appointment. The physician will enter your name and information in the Florida Registry which is run by the Department of Health. This is very important because you can not apply for your MMJ card unless the doctor has done this step
STEP 3 - Apply to the State for your license. What happens next depends on the Medical Marijuana practice you are a patient of. The majority of practices do not do this step for you. If you find a full service concierge Medical Marijuana practice they will most likely include this step and add the application fee to the total cost. I highly suggest going with a full service concierge practice. This eliminates the guess work and delays that can occur when you deal with the state directly. It's less stressful and usually a much quicker turn around time to obtain your license number. If you decide to go with a practice that does not provide this service simply go on-line and apply to the state directly. It is VERY important all documents are accurate and legible. Your address on your state ID must match what is entered into the Florid Registry by your doctor. Oh and guess what? The state doesn't tell you when there's a problem with your application. To reduce this stress go with a full service concierge practice who takes care of all that for you. Once your application is received and approved you will receive an email from the state with your Medical Marijuana License number prior to the receiving the physical card. The physical card may take up to 30+ days to arrive in the mail.
STEP 4 - Now you're ready to go to the dispensary! You are able to go with your ID and your Medical Marijuana license number. You do not need to wait for the card. Most dispensaries offer first time customer discounts. Take full advantage of those and visit as many as possible. Not all dispensaries carry the same products. This is where becoming involved in local Cannabis friendly events, educations or groups is useful. Learning from others who have already been medicating is beneficial.
Things you should know:
Three things to consider when going to a dispensary:
Strain (Sativa, Indica etc...)
Delivery method (smokable, inhalation, tincture, etc...)
Cost - Varies from company to company
By law you are required to see the doctor for renewal every 7 months
Your MMJ card expires annually. You or a legal representative must submit a renewal application annually
Choosing a qualified doctor and reputable practice is challenging. Do your research. If you live in the Tamp Bay area I will recommend Triverde Health. They are a full concierge service practice. In full disclosure I am affiliated with them and very proud to say that I am. Triverde Health at The Centre is a Place to be YOU. It's not your ordinary Medical Marijuana medical practice. At The Centre you become part of a family. As a patient or guest you learn the science behind the medicine, how to utilize in cooking, painting, or therapy such as meditation, yoga or cupping. You learn with others how to take control of your health and well-being. The culture at The Centre is warm, friendly, welcoming and non-judgmental. You come in for an appointment and you don't want to leave. Their medical doctor is Dr. Luis Ycaza. He takes his time to get to know you and explain how to medicate responsibly.
You can contact Triverde Health online: https://triverde.com/ to make an appointment. Let them know Cari sent you!
Take a look at their cannabis centric location: https://www.thecentrespb.com/
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