As attitudes toward medical cannabis continue to evolve, many individuals are turning to this natural remedy to alleviate symptoms and improve their quality of life. In the state of Florida, obtaining a marijuana card allows qualified patients to legally access and use laboratory tested, medical marijuana for therapeutic purposes. If you’re considering this option, here’s how to get a Florida marijuana card.

Understand Qualifying Medical Conditions

Before embarking on the journey to obtain a Florida marijuana card, it’s essential to understand the qualifying medical conditions. These conditions include but are not limited to:

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Epilepsy
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Chronic pain
• Terminal conditions
• 100’s of other conditions of the same kind or class

Your medical history and current health condition will determine if you meet the criteria for a marijuana card.

Consult with a Qualified Physician

The next crucial step is to consult with a qualified physician who is registered with the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). This physician will evaluate your medical history, perform a examination, and discuss your symptoms and treatment options. Be prepared to provide any relevant medical records or documents that support your condition.

Physician Certification

If the physician determines that you have a qualifying medical condition, they will issue a physician certification. This certification is an official recommendation for medical marijuana treatment. It includes details about your condition and the appropriate dosage and form of medical marijuana for your needs. Each recommendation is good for 210-days, before being required to return for a renewal appointment.

Register with the OMMU

After your consultation with the physician, they will immediately create you an account and enter your orders in the OMMU. Your account login on their website is your email address and you will use the temporary password you were emailed to reset it. You will then be prompted to reset your password and you will be able to access the initial application on the “My Card” menu.

Application Submission and Payment

Once logged in you will complete the initial application as well as provide proof of residency. If you have a FL Driver’s License or ID – this will all automate, and you will not need to upload any documents. You will finalize and submit your application through the OMMU’s online portal and pay the $75 required fee. The state fee must be paid by debit or with credit card. Additional it can be paid via an electronic check online. It’s important to review the application carefully and ensure that all information is accurate and up to date. *Most marijuana doctors will complete this process for you, so no obstacles or delays are faced.

Receive Your Registry Identification Card

After the OMMU reviews and approves your application, you will receive a Registry Identification Card in the mail. This card confirms that you are a qualified patient and have legal access to medical marijuana. The card is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. If you are a Florida resident with a FL drivers license or ID card, approval is IMMEDIATE. If you do not have a FL drivers license or ID, it can take up to 10-business days for approval.

Visit a Licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC)

With your Registry Identification Card, you can now visit a licensed MMTC in Florida. These centers offer a range of medical marijuana products, including flower, concentrates, tinctures, edibles, topicals and more. The knowledgeable staff at the MMTC will guide you through the products and help you choose the ones that best suit your needs.

Follow Up with Your Physician

Regular follow-up appointments with your recommending physician are essential for maintaining your medical marijuana card. These appointments ensure that your treatment plan is effective and can be adjusted if necessary. Your physician will provide ongoing guidance and monitor your progress.

In Conclusion

Obtaining a Florida marijuana card involves a series of steps, from consulting with a qualified physician to registering with the OMMU and visiting an MMTC. Although the process is quite simple, it’s crucial to follow the process diligently and ensure that you meet all the requirements to access medical marijuana legally. As always, it’s recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if medical marijuana is a suitable option for your specific medical condition. By obtaining a Florida marijuana card, you’re taking a significant step toward improving your well-being and enhancing your quality of life.

MMJ Certifications – What to Expect During Your Visit

Compassionate Healthcare of Florida has a warm, friendly, and helpful staff. At our practice the staff will greet you and give you some paperwork to fill out (if you haven’t already submitted it through our website) that includes medical questionnaires, disclosures, the same kind of forms you would fill out in any physicians’ office. When completed you will be escorted to a private exam room where your certifying doctor will review your paperwork and complaints with you. During the evaluation, the Doctor will discuss your medical history and symptoms to determine if medical marijuana is right for you. The doctor will spend as much time as is needed to determine if medical marijuana is something that will benefit you. If you are approved, you will be entered into the FL OMMU registry right then and the staff will help you complete the state application so you can begin purchasing medical cannabis.

What should I bring with me?

For us to be able to fully evaluate you, you should bring the following with you if available. Lack of prior medical records or a primary care physician DOES NOT EXCLUDE you from obtaining your Medical Marijuana Card.

1. Your medical records and/or some documentation from your primary care or specialist provider that notes and or supports your diagnosis. Reports from MRIs, X-rays, CT Scans, or a referral for the evaluation is often helpful, but not required. If you have been to a Chiropractor or emergency room, bring any documents you may have received at that time. Our doctors specialize in cannabinoid medicine and are not functioning as primary health care providers so bring any recent records that describe your condition when you last saw your doctor if they are available.

2. Your Valid Florida Identification-that includes a Florida driver’s license or state-issued photo identification card. Out of state licenses and passports are acceptable, but with them you will be required to submit a passport size photo (we will take this for you) when you complete you state application along with two proof of residency (POR) documents.

What if I do not have any documentation?

Documentation is very useful in helping us evaluate if medical marijuana would be beneficial to the patient. Medical records can be obtained from prior physicians by contacting their office. If medical records cannot be obtained, don’t worry as our physician will evaluate each patient on an individual basis to see if any additional documentation is needed.