Yes, there are marijuana dispensaries in Cape Coral. The Florida Legislature enacted the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act in 2014 to allow critically ill patients with epilepsy and cancer to use low-THC cannabis. The Act allows Florida-licensed osteopathic and allopathic physicians to order low-THC cannabis for their patients' medical use. Under the Compassionate Use Act, physicians may only order low-THC cannabis from dispensing organizations and for patients who reside in Florida. The Act established the Office of Compassionate Use (OCU) under the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to manage the state's medical marijuana program.
In 2016, Florida voters approved Amendment 2, the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, to legalize medical marijuana and expand the list of qualifying medical conditions. Amendment 2 also changed the Office of Compassionate Use to the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), which prompted the establishment of Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) in the state.
Cape Coral permits the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries within its borders in compliance with Chapter 381 of Florida Statutes. It observes the land use and zoning regulations for pharmacies in establishing cannabis dispensaries. Under Florida law, it is illegal to use cannabis for recreational purposes in Cape Coral.
There are cannabis dispensaries in Cape Coral serving the medical cannabis needs of qualified residents. Florida passed the Compassionate Use Act in 2014 to permit severely ill patients with cancer and epilepsy to use low-THC cannabis. Under this Act, only licensed physicians could order low-THC cannabis from dispensing organizations on behalf of their patients. In 2016, Amendment 2, a ballot initiative, was approved by Florida voters to legalize medical marijuana and expand the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana beyond cancer and epilepsy.
Amendment 2 authorized the establishment of Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs), commonly called cannabis dispensaries, in Florida, including Cape Coral. Only qualified patients and their caregivers may purchase cannabis from MMTCs for the patients' medical uses, subject to the approved amount of cannabis in their physician certificates. Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers operate a vertical integration business model and are the only businesses licensed to dispense low-THC cannabis and medical marijuana in Florida.
Yes. Qualified patients can buy medical cannabis from online weed dispensaries in Cape Coral since no Florida marijuana law outlaws purchasing medical cannabis. Some cannabis dispensaries in Cape Coral can deliver medical cannabis to patients' doorsteps if ordered online. Qualified patients in the city can search on the internet with phrases like "online weed dispensaries near me" to find cannabis dispensaries in Cape Coral that operate online shops.
Generally, Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) in Florida operate under strict regulations. Anyone visiting a dispensary in Cape Coral for the first time must complete an intake procedure. This procedure enables the dispensary staff to verify that a person is a registered patient under the Florida medical marijuana program. For subsequent visits, a patient must always bring their state-issued medical marijuana use registry identification card and cash to purchase medical cannabis.
While at a dispensary, a patient may be required to enter a separate waiting room until a dispensary staff invites them into the retail space where they can buy cannabis for medicinal use. Typically, dispensary staff will guide patients in purchasing cannabis products based on their prescriptions.
Cannabis dispensaries in Cape Coral follow the rules outlined for Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) in Chapter 381 of Florida Statutes. These include:
Recreational cannabis is considered illegal everywhere in Florida, including Cape Coral. The possession of fewer than 20 grams of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor offense, and if convicted, a person risks up to one-year incarceration and a maximum fine of $1,000. The possession, sale, or use of over 20 grams of recreational cannabis in Cape Coral is a felony.
The following are the medical marijuana laws in Cape Coral:
Qualifying patients in Cape Coral can get a medical marijuana card (Medical Marijuana Use Registry identity card) in two ways:
Online Application
Online applications are processed faster and are made via the Medical Marijuana Use Registry Portal. First-time users must register and may use the Login Instructional Guide for assistance in logging in. After registration, they will receive an email from the OMMU containing their login credentials. These details are meant for applicants to log in and complete their online applications, and they (applicants) must provide all required documentation, including proof of Florida Residency and a $75 processing fee payment information. The OMMU provides medical marijuana card applicants in Cape Coral with Online Application Instructions
Paper Application
Florida medical marijuana card applicants in Cape Coral must complete a Patient Application Form or a Caregiver Application Form. The OMMU provides applicants with patient application instructions and caregiver application instructions. Once completed, they must provide a copy of proof of residency in Cape Coral, a passport photo that meets the guidelines of Section 381.986(7)(a)2 of Florida Statutes, and a $75 money order or check. The check or money order should be made payable to the Florida Department of Health with a memo line including the patient identification number. Completed application forms and the required documents should be mailed to:
Florida Office of Medical Use
P.O. Box 31313
Tampa, FL 33631-3313
Applications submitted online take up to 10 working days for approval. Applicants can check their application status via the Medical Marijuana Use Registry or by calling (800) 808-9580.
Generally, it is legal to consume medical cannabis in private residences in Cape Coral. Per SB 8A, medical marijuana consumption in public spaces, vehicles, aircraft, and on the grounds of a school (preschool, primary, or secondary) is prohibited.
Qualified patients can locate a Cape Coral dispensary by searching the addresses of the city's weed dispensaries online, with "cannabis dispensaries near me" or "weed dispensaries in Cape Coral." Patients must be at least 18 years of age to purchase medical cannabis at a licensed MMTC and present their Florida-issued medical marijuana ID cards. Otherwise, their caregivers must buy cannabis products on their behalf.
While prices may vary depending on the type of cannabis product, the average cost per ounce of high-quality marijuana in Cape Coral is $298.
Marijuana strains are widely categorized as Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid strains. The most popular strains in Cape Coral include the runtz, big love, mandarin sunset, SSI95, ice cream gelato, guru#10, girl scout cookies, sour diesel, and blue dream strains.
No. Senate Bill 8A prohibits smoking cannabis in public in Cape Coral.
As stipulated in Chapter 381 of Florida Statutes, a qualified patient and caregiver in Cape Coral may not possess more than a 70-day supply of medical cannabis. If in a smoking form, they must not possess more than 4 ounces of cannabis or an amount approved by the DOH at any given time. The possession of any amount of recreational marijuana is still illegal in Cape Coral.
No. It is illegal to ship marijuana in Cape Coral because cannabis is still included in the United States Schedule I controlled substance list, and federal laws prohibit crossing state lines with marijuana.
Yes. Qualified patients can order cannabis online in Cape Coral. Querying internet search engines with "online weed dispensaries in Cape Coral" will return a list of MMTCs taking online orders.
Per Chapter 381 of Florida Statutes, cannabis dispensaries in Cape Coral may engage in several operations, including delivering low-THC cannabis and medical marijuana to qualified patients 24 hours daily. However, they must not dispense medical cannabis or low-THC cannabis from their premises between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Only qualified and registered medical marijuana patients can visit medical cannabis dispensaries in Cape Coral. If the tourists are from within the State of Florida, they can use dispensaries in Cape Coral. The city does not accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards.
A Florida-issued medical marijuana registry card is required to purchase medical marijuana at dispensaries in Cape Coral. No dispensary in the city accepts out-of-state cards.
MUV, FLUENT, Trulieve, and Cannabist are some of the leading marijuana dispensaries located in the City of Cape Coral.
Although dispensaries in Cape Coral are not mandated by Florida law to scan patients' IDs, they must ensure that patients or caregivers have valid medical marijuana registry cards before dispensing medical cannabis.
Cape Coral currently has 10 licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs)
No. Weed dispensaries in Cape Coral do not accept credit cards for payments due to the illegal status of marijuana at the federal level.
Florida law does not specify a limit on the number of dispensaries a patient can visit in one day. However, the state registry keeps track of the amount of cannabis purchased by patients and alerts the dispensary once it reaches 2.5 ounces of smokable cannabis within 35 days.
No. Weed dispensaries in Cape Coral do not take health insurance as a means of payment for cannabis products because cannabis is still federally illegal.
Yes. The state medical marijuana registry, through weed dispensaries, tracks how much medical cannabis patients purchase in Cape Coral. Per SB 8A, each MMTC must also use the seed-to-sale tracking established by the DOH.
Yes. Registered patients aged 18 years or older can enter licensed medical cannabis dispensaries in Cape Coral.
Contact information for the Cape Coral cannabis regulator is available on the Florida Department of Health's website. Cape Coral residents can contact the DOH at (850) 245-4444.
Report illegal cannabis activities in Cape Coral by calling the DOH at (850) 245-4444. Alternatively, report such activities to the Cape Coral Police Department at (239) 574-3223.