Florida House Votes for Free Medical Marijuana Cards for Veterans and Extends Card Duration to Two Years

15 April 2025

In a rare display of bipartisan unity, the Florida House Health and Human Services Committee has unanimously advanced House Bill 555—a proposal designed to make Florida's medical marijuana program more affordable and accessible. If enacted, the bill would eliminate registration and renewal fees for military veterans and extend the validity period of all medical marijuana identification cards from one year to two.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola), represents a pared-down version of earlier proposals that included broader reforms like home cultivation and patient reciprocity from other states. Still, this narrower version has gained significant support among patient advocates and cannabis industry stakeholders, who view it as a meaningful step toward easing the burden on patients, especially those living on fixed incomes.

What the HB 555 Would Change

Currently, patients in Florida’s medical marijuana program are required to renew their ID cards every year, at a cost of $75 per renewal. Under HB 555, that renewal cycle would shift to once every two years—cutting down both the administrative hassle and the long-term cost for patients. For veterans who submit proof of honorable discharge, the bill would remove the registration and renewal fee altogether.

These changes would go into effect starting July 1, 2025, if the bill successfully passes through both chambers of the Legislature and is signed into law.

A Growing Program with Growing Costs

The Florida medical cannabis program has grown rapidly since it was approved by voters in 2016, now serving more than 900,000 registered patients across the state. But while the patient base has expanded, affordability remains a sticking point. Florida's annual card fee is among the highest in the country and has often been criticized as a barrier to access—particularly for veterans, seniors, and others managing long-term health conditions.

For many, the two-year renewal cycle proposed in HB 555 is a welcome change that would reduce financial strain and increase consistency in care. Eliminating the fee for veterans adds another layer of relief for a population that often turns to medical cannabis as an alternative to opioids and other pharmaceuticals.

Implications for Patients, Businesses, and Policy

The proposed changes could have ripple effects across Florida’s cannabis landscape. For patients, the cost savings and reduced bureaucracy may encourage longer-term participation in the state program. For cannabis businesses, especially dispensaries and product manufacturers, a more stable and retained patient base could translate into steadier demand and improved customer retention.

While HB 555 focuses primarily on ID card logistics and veteran access, its advancement may signal an openness in the Legislature to consider further reforms in the future—such as expanding access to other vulnerable populations or revisiting home cultivation.

The Road Ahead

Despite its unanimous approval in the House committee, the bill’s future in the Senate remains uncertain. As of now, no companion bill has been heard in the Senate, and it remains unclear whether the measure will advance before the end of the legislative session.

For Florida’s medical cannabis patients, HB 555 promises to cut red tape and ease financial burdens. For veterans, it represents a potential end to yearly fees that can hinder access to treatment. And for those tracking the cannabis industry, the bill may be a sign that Florida lawmakers are willing to make incremental but impactful changes in how the state regulates and administers medical marijuana.