Florida Medical Marijuana Patient Information

What conditions can Medical Marijuana be used for in Florida?

In Florida, any patient that wants an MMJ card must visit a state-approved physician and receive a diagnosis for one of the state-approved debilitating conditions. The qualifying conditions include:

• Cancer: According to experts, patients with cancer-damaged nerves can obtain palliative benefits by consuming medical cannabis. They also experience reduced chemotherapy-related symptoms like nausea, vomiting, cachexia, etc.

• Epilepsy: Doctors have found that cannabis has active compounds that reduce overactivity in the nervous system that could cause epileptic seizures.

• Glaucoma: Some medical studies have found that cannabis helps reduce intraocular pressure. Some studies, however, believe the risks outweigh the benefits of treatment.

• HIV/AIDS: Professionals claim that medical cannabis can benefit patients that have HIV infection or AIDS. According to research, cannabis helps HIV patients maintain heathier weight profiles. It also reduces their pain and improves life quality.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder: Research shows that PTSD patients on cannabis therapy experience reduced symptoms like flashbacks, anxiety, headaches, and more.

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Studies claim that ALS patients that use medical cannabis typically experience pain reduction, relaxed muscles, bronchodilation, and improved appetite and sleep.

• Crohn's disease: Studies have shown that patients with Crohn's disease experienced reduced disease activity after consuming cannabis.

• Parkinson's disease: Experts claim that cannabis provides Parkinson's patients with benefits, including pain relief, reduced shaking, and better quality sleep.

• Multiple sclerosis: Researchers have shown that MS patients can consume cannabis to reduce pain sensitivity and spasticity.

• Terminal illness

• Chronic nonmalignant pain

Minors can also obtain medical cannabis if they have one of the following medical conditions:

• Cerebral Palsy
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Irreversible Spinal Cord Injury
• Severe Epilepsy
• Terminal Illness Requiring End-Of-Life Care
• Uncontrolled Intractable Seizure Disorder
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta

What does an MMJ Card Permit in Florida?

In Florida, the Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative allows patients with debilitating medical conditions to use medical cannabis. However, recreational use is illegal. Eligible patients that get medical marijuana identification cards gain the following benefits:

• Legal protection : In Florida, anyone that uses marijuana without a medical marijuana card disobeys state and federal law and may face stiff penalties. However, patients that obtain Florida MMJ cards can access medical cannabis with full legal coverage and use it as needed.
• Effective medication: Medical cannabis holds numerous benefits and reduces the symptoms of various diseases. According to the CDC, cannabis can help ease cancer symptoms - the second leading cause of death in the USA. It can also help reduce inflammation, chronic pain, headaches, nausea, and more.
• Access to Medical Marijuana Dispensaries: Before Florida signed the Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative into law, the only way to buy medical marijuana was from the black market. However, anyone with a Florida MMJ card can get medical marijuana from different state-licensed dispensaries. There are more than 500 dispensaries in Florida with a wide variety of cannabis products.
• Verifiable Medication: People that buy medical cannabis on the black market cannot verify the safety or potency of the product they get. They can only hope that what they purchase works. However, with a Florida medical marijuana card, patients can access cannabis with high potency and well-labeled dosages.

How Long is a Florida Medical Marijuana Card Valid?

When a person obtains a Florida medical marijuana card, it is valid for twelve months from its initial issue date. Cardholders cannot use their cards after the expiration date but must renew their licenses to get a new card.

Does Florida have Medical Marijuana Reciprocity?

A state with medical marijuana reciprocity allows medical cannabis from other states to access their medication without fear of prosecution. Florida does not have medical marijuana reciprocity and does not allow out-of-state patients to have or consume cannabis in the state.

Is an MMIC Valid outside of Florida?

The validity of your Florida medical marijuana card depends on where you try to use it. If you visit a state where medical marijuana is illegal, your cannabis is invalid. Similarly, your cannabis is weak if you visit a marijuana-legal state that does not have reciprocity.

However, your Florida MMIC is conditionally valid if you visit a marijuana-legal state. Some states allow out-of-state cardholders to buy or possess cannabis with their card. Some require out-of-state cardholders to apply for temporary cards. The current list of states offering some form of medical marijuana reciprocity include:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Washington gov
• Washington D.C.

Is an MMIC Valid in Other Florida Counties?

If you get a medical marijuana identification card from the Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), it is valid across Florida. You may present it in any state dispensaries across all 67 Florida counties to buy cannabis products. You may also give it to law enforcement anywhere in Florida.

Does Florida Accept Medical Marijuana Cards issued by another State?

Florida does not have a medical marijuana reciprocity program and does not accept medical marijuana cards that another state issues. Out-of-state patients cannot buy, use, or possess medical cannabis in Florida.

Does a Florida MMIC Protect Me Under Federal Law?

Enacted on May 1, 1971, the Federal Controlled Substance Act is a federal law regulating drug use in the United States. The Act classifies cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug - having no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse. Thus, buying, possessing, or using cannabis is a federal crime. Florida has legalized medical marijuana but cannot protect patients who violate federal law while using cannabis.

Some ways that a Florida cannabis patient might violate federal law include:

• Laundering money through a state-licensed cannabis business
• Selling marijuana to minors: Minors are not allowed to buy or consume cannabis. Anyone that gives a child cannabis is liable for arrest and prosecution.
• Carrying cannabis across Florida's lines into federal land
• Using cannabis on federal property like national parks, airports, schools, federally-funded property, etc.
• Using cannabis while working for the federal government
• Funding local crime through state-licensed marijuana proceeds.
• Driving under the influence of cannabis.
• Owning or using a firearm.