If you haven’t received the email from the OMMU, you likely got a notice about it from one of the many Florida MMTC’s you shop at. The state has made it clear that it will now limit THC supply for all administration methods, excluding low THC products.
Sent via email to all certifying physicians earlier today, the Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use has determined milligram limits for each route of administration. For many patients, no changes will be noted. However, for others who require more than the outlined aggregate total of 24,500mg of THC per 70-day order period, such as cancer patients or anyone on daily RSO protocols— this will create some challenges and extra work to get patients the medicine they need. The new rules will go into effect on August 29th, 2022, and will not impact patient orders entered prior to this date.
Per the OMMU:
Beginning Monday, August 29, 2022, the Medical Marijuana Use Registry (Registry) will be updated pursuant to section 381.986(4)(f), Florida Statutes (F.S.), which states, in part, “The department [of Health] shall quantify by rule a daily dose amount with equivalent dose amounts for each allowable form of marijuana dispensed by a medical marijuana treatment center. The department shall use the daily dose amount to calculate a 70-day supply.” In compliance with Florida law, the Department of Health has published Emergency Rule 64ER22-8, Dosing and Supply Limits for Medical Marijuana, to determine daily dose amounts and 70-day supply limits for approved routes of administration of marijuana (excluding low-THC cannabis).
What Are The Maximum Limits of THC For Each Route of Administration?
The OMMU has outlined the below supply limits for all routes, with a total 70-day supply limit not to exceed 24,500 mg of THC.
I Use More THC Than That To Treat My Condition—What Should I Do?
Although the new Florida THC dosing and supply limits will not impact most patients, if you fall into this category, you need to reach out to your cannabis doctor to request they submit a “Physician Request for Exception Form” on your behalf. Your certifying physician can file this RFE form to request an exemption to the:
- 70-day daily dose limit of Marijuana
- 35-day supply limit of marijuana in the form of smoking (whole flower)
- 4-ounce possession limit of marijuana in the form of smoking (whole flower)
It is important to note that ultimate approval of this request is made solely by the OMMU, and although you and your certifying physician may agree that you will likely gain a significant benefit from the additional supply, the end decision is the States. It is also vital to keep in mind that prior to the form’s approval, a qualified patient will only be authorized to obtain the daily dose amounts determined by the Rule.
I Just Renewed My Orders! What Happens Now?
Thankfully for patients who had actives orders entered before the August 29th, 2022 date, your limits will not be adjusted or affected. Future orders will, however need to meet the dosing and supply limits outlined by the OMMU above. You may want to consider stocking up on some products if you believe you will have difficulty getting your marijuana doctor to request an exception for you. When buying in bulk, always check out the deals page – as this can save you a lot of money at the dispensaries.
I Am A Patient That Uses More MMJ For My Condition, Do I Need To Pay My Doctor More To Get An Exception?
The short answer is you shouldn’t and hopefully not. Although medical marijuana practitioners will have their own guidelines in place on how to handle the additional workload of exception requests— we can promise as a practice, we do not intend to charge patients anything additional to get the medicine that improves their quality of life and believe most certifying providers are in line with this view.
How Are The Supply Limits Calculated And How Much Do I Have Left?
Ever since the change to rolling periods with smokable flower, this has been one of the biggest areas of confusion for patients.
The simplest way to look at this is to consider the dispensable amount at any given time by the MMTC’s being the ordered amount by your doctor (this may be 2.5oz for flower or 24,500 total mg of THC for other routes) minus the prior dispensation history (past 35-day period for flower or 70-day period for all other methods except low THC)
What You Can Purchase Today:
Smokable Flower Ordered Amount – Prior Dispensations over last 35 days = Dispensable Amount of Flower
Medical Marijuana Ordered Amount – Prior Dispensations over last 70 days = Dispensable Amount of Medical Marijuana
The Florida Medical Marijuana Program Continues To Evolve
For better or worse, the Florida Medical Marijuana Program is adjusting and adapting to the growth in patients seeking to reduce their reliance on pharmaceuticals and treating their symptoms with alternative methods such as with THC. As Marijuana Doctors, we believe the treatment of patients should be between the patient and the physicians who have established a long-term relationship with them and are knowledgeable on their medical history and how they respond to THC and cannabinoid treatment. Although this is our preference, we appreciate the growth and progress the Florida Medical Marijuana Program has made since its inception. In the beginning of the Florida program, MMTC’s and products were extremely limited and so were patient qualifying conditions and treatment options, causing many patients to suffer for much longer until changes were made.
Compassionate Healthcare of Florida, along with most marijuana doctors will adapt to the new requirements and continue to advocate for more research and fewer restrictions in the medical marijuana market to ensure all those who would benefit from medical marijuana products have access to safe and affordable medicine.
