What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Card in Florida (2024)

How Many Medical Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Treatment in Florida?

There are 10 named qualifying conditions in the Florida medical marijuana law. In addition to these, the law also allows medical marijuana access to anyone suffering from unnamed medical conditions that meet certain requirements.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Florida 2024

To qualify for a Florida medical marijuana card, a patient must be diagnosed with one or more of the following medical conditions:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Positive state for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV+)
• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)

The Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) of the Florida Department of Health also issues medical cannabis cards to anyone suffering from:

• A medical condition of the same kind or class as or comparable to any one of those listed above
• A terminal condition diagnosed by another physician besides the qualified physician confirming the diagnosis and issuing the physician certification
• Chronic nonmalignant pain, especially one caused by, or originating from, a qualifying medical condition and persisting beyond the typical course of that qualifying medical condition

Does Florida Add New Qualifying Conditions to its Medical Marijuana Program?

Yes. When Florida first passed its medical marijuana law, only terminally ill individuals were allowed access to medical cannabis. The passage of Amendment 2 (also known as Florida Medical Marijauna Legalization Initiative) in 2016 added the other qualifying conditions on the list and included a provision to allow medical marijuana for unnamed conditions deemed debilitating by recommending physicians.

Does Florida Allow Physicians to Recommend Medical Cannabis for Non-Qualifying Conditions?

The wording of Florida’s qualifying conditions for medical marijuana makes it possible for physicians to recommend medical cannabis for conditions that are not specifically mentioned on the state’s list of qualifying medical conditions. This means that a Florida physician may recommend medical marijuana use for a condition that they regard as comparable to the debilitating conditions mentioned on the list.

Do You Need a Doctor’s Recommendation for Medical Marijuana in Florida?

Yes. Florida requires a qualified physician to diagnose or confirm the diagnosis of a qualifying condition for medical marijuana use. This certification is a key step in joining the state’s medical marijuana program because physicians are responsible for initiating patient and caregiver registrations in the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry.

To qualify to recommend medical marijuana in Florida, a physician must successfully complete a 2-hour CME course, and pass the examination, offered by the Florida Medical Association or the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association. The OMMU maintains an updated list of qualified physicians approved to recommend medical marijuana in Florida.

Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card in Florida?

In addition to getting diagnosed with a qualified medical condition by a qualified physician, Florida requires any applicant for its medical marijuana card to be a permanent or seasonal resident of the state. In Florida, a seasonal resident is anyone who:

• Temporarily lives in Florida for at least 31 consecutive days in a calendar year
• Has a temporary residence in Florida
• Returns to their state of residence at least once a year
• Is registered to vote or pays taxes in that or another state

Both adults and minors can apply for a medical marijuana card in Florida. However, minors require two recommendations for medical marijuana from two physicians. They must also have the consent of their parents or legal guardians. A minor must name a caregiver on their application who must be 21 years or older and a resident of Florida.