Miami-Dade County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2024

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Miami-Dade County?

Cannabis cultivation is illegal for recreational purposes in Miami-Dade County. Only Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) may cultivate cannabis for medical marijuana purposes pursuant to the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. Miami-Dade County residents may not conduct the home cultivation of marijuana for recreational or medical purposes.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Miami-Dade County?

Cannabis manufacturing for recreational purposes is prohibited in Miami-Dade County. Manufacturing of cannabis may only be done for medical marijuana purposes by licensed MMTCs operating in the county.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Miami-Dade County?

Adult-use cannabis retail is illegal in Miami-Dade County. However, registered medical marijuana patients in the county can purchase medicinal marijuana from licensed MMTCs.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Miami-Dade County?

Only MMTCs are legally permitted to deliver cannabis to registered persons for medical purposes. With recreational marijuana currently prohibited in the county, the delivery of recreational cannabis is prohibited.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Miami-Dade County

A medical marijuana (MMJ) card in Miami-Dade County is a state-issued identification card that permits a medical marijuana patient with a physician's recommendation to obtain or possess marijuana. To qualify to obtain a medical marijuana card in Miami-Dade County, an individual must have been diagnosed with one of the following conditions:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease
• Cancer
• Crohn's disease
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson's disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the application
• Chronic non-malignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition
• Other comparable medical conditions

To obtain a medical marijuana card in Miami-Dade County, you must be a permanent Florida resident or a seasonal resident suffering from one qualifying condition who resides in the state for at least 31 consecutive days in each calendar year and maintains a temporary residence. You are also required to be at least 18 years old or have an adult designated as a caregiver.

When applying for a medical marijuana card, a temporary Miami-Dade County resident must provide photo identification and two of the following documents:

• A deed or monthly mortgage statement
• Proof of residential address from the individual with whom the temporary resident is staying and a supporting document
• A utility bill
• A utility hook up or work order issued within 60 days prior to registration in the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry
• Mail from a financial institution showing savings, checking, or investment account statements. The mail must have been sent within the last two months
• Mail from a government agency within the last two months
• Any other documentation that may serve as a proof of residential address

If you are a permanent Miami-Dade County resident or meet the above criteria as a temporary resident, you may then proceed to obtain a certification from a medical marijuana doctor. To obtain a certification, you must schedule an appointment with a qualified doctor and present your medical records to the practitioner at the appointment. The Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) provides a physician search tool on its website for MMJ card applicants to find doctors who have taken the required training and are qualified to issue medical marijuana certifications. You may also use the OMMU list of qualified physicians in Florida to find a qualified doctor in Miami-Dade County. Over 2,000 Florida doctors in various specialties, such as oncology, family care, dermatology, and gynecology, are on the OMMU list, broken down by county.

Upon obtaining a certification from the doctor, you will be added to the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry. Note that the doctor may run a series of tests to diagnose a qualifying condition and require you to sign a detailed consent form. You will be charged for your appointment with the doctor, and depending on your location in the county, the fee may be up to $300.

After having your name added to the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry, you may then complete your application online by locating and opening two emails with "Medical Marijuana Use Registry New User Account" as their subject lines in your email account. The first email contains your username (typically the email address provided to your physician), while the second email contains your temporary password. You may check your spam folder if there are no medical marijuana use registry emails in your inbox. Follow the link in the mail to begin the online application. On the application system, access the "Your Card" page and provide the required documentation and application fee of $75 to complete the application.

For paper applications:

• Complete a Patient Application form, Caregiver Application form, or both if necessary
• Include in the application:
  • A passport-style photo meeting the criteria outlined in Section 381.986(7)(a)2 of the Florida Statutes
  • A copy of the required proof of residency
  • A $75.00 check or money order made out to the Florida Department of Health with your Patient ID Number included on the memo line

Mail completed paper applications to:

Office of Medical Marijuana Use

PO Box 31313

Tampa, FL 33631-3313

The Medical Marijuana Use Registry is connected to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) demographic database to streamline the process of applying for and receiving MMJ cards. Using data from the FLHSMV, the photo identification and proof of residency can be automatically approved, thus reducing processing time. Approval of online applications takes an average of 10 working days. An additional 3 - 5 business days for postal delivery may be required if you are mailing your application. Patients and caregivers may inquire about the status of their MMJ card applications by calling (800) 808-9580 or logging onto the Medical Marijuana Use Registry. Once your MMJ Card application has been approved, you may visit a licensed medical marijuana treatment center (MMTC) in Miami-Dade County and fill an order placed by your qualified physician.

Unlike other states, a Florida medical marijuana card is only valid for 210 days and must be recertified every 70 days; else, the card will become invalid. There is no extra charge for a 70-day recertification application that occurs within the same year as the initial certification. After the initial 210 days have elapsed, you will be required to schedule a new appointment with your doctor for recertification and pay the renewal fee in order to have your card renewed.

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Miami-Dade County?

Medical marijuana legalization has had a positive impact on the Florida economy, including the economy of Miami-Dade County. Although recreational cannabis has not been legalized in Florida, the state has one of the most active cannabis markets in 2020, according to an independent report. Per the report, Florida ranked third in the United States, with cannabis sales reaching $1.2 billion in 2020. The Florida cannabis market was only topped by the Colorado and California markets, both with revenues accruing from adult-use and medical cannabis markets. While Florida does not levy an excise tax on medical marijuana, marijuana sales in the states are subject to a 6% sales tax. Consequently, Florida generated approximately $73.8 million in tax revenue in 2020, besides the $50 million in licensing fees received from each of the cannabis business licenses offered.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Miami-Dade County

With recreational cannabis currently prohibited in Miami-Dade County, the effect of cannabis legalization on crime rates in the county can only be measured with respect to medical marijuana. In the years preceding the legalization of medicinal marijuana in 2014, Miami-Dade County recorded an average of 175 DUI arrests per every 100,000 residents in the county. Between 2015 and 2019, DUI arrests rates dropped to about 60 DUI arrests for every 100,000 county residents.