Seminole County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2024

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Seminole County?

Yes, cannabis cultivation is allowed in Seminole County, but only for medical marijuana. Florida legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Florida Statute 381.986 stipulates that only marijuana treatment centers are permitted to grow medical marijuana and low-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) marijuana. The law also states that a qualified patient or caregiver's registration can be revoked if they are found to be growing marijuana by a person or facility other than a medical marijuana treatment center. Until now, adult-use marijuana is still illegal in Florida.

Low-THC marijuana or medical marijuana should be grown in a closed structure and in a space away from other plants. Pursuant to Florida Statute 581.131, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issues the certificate of registration of medical marijuana treatment center applicants.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Seminole County?

Yes, marijuana manufacturing is allowed in Seminole County. According to Florida Statute 381.986, only licensed medical marijuana treatment centers and their owners, employees, and managers are permitted to manufacture, possess, distribute, sell, deliver, dispense, and legally dispose of marijuana.

When processing medical marijuana, medical marijuana treatment centers must manufacture in a closed structure and in a separate space from other plants and products. The treatment centers must also pack marijuana in containers permanently affixed with a legible label containing the following information:

• Low-THC marijuana or medical marijuana that is safe for human consumption

• The name of the medical marijuana treatment center where the medical marijuana originated

• The date dispensed, harvest number, and batch number from which the medical marijuana was manufactured

• The name of the doctor who issued the doctor certification

• Patient's name

• Product name and dosage form (if applicable), including concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol; Product names must not contain phrases commonly associated with products directed at or marketed to children

• Recommended dose

• A warning that says giving medical marijuana to others is illegal

• A universal marijuana symbol developed by the department

Furthermore, medical marijuana products intended for smoking or eating must be packaged in opaque, solid white containers. The only image permitted on the packaging is the licensed medical marijuana treatment center logo, approved by the Department of Health. Products must be marked with warnings to keep children away from them. In addition, medical marijuana products intended for smoking must include a statement that they contain harmful carcinogens.

For medical marijuana treatment centers to ensure the safety of their building locations, they shall:

• Ensure that the outdoor areas have enough lighting

• Ensure that the indoor premises consist of a waiting area with seating to accommodate both patients and caregivers

• Not dispense from its premises marijuana between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., however, it may also deliver marijuana to certified patients 24 hours a day

• Maintain a security alarm gadget that secures all entry points and perimeter windows

• Maintain video surveillance that constantly records 24 hours per day

• Store marijuana in a vault or a locked room

• Report to the local government or law enforcement agency within 24 hours after the treatment center becomes aware of robbery or loss of marijuana

• Require all personnel to put on an identity badge always while on duty

• Require every visitor to put on a visitor badge always while at the premises

• Require no less than two personnel to be present at the premises always in which the processing, storing, and cultivation of marijuana happens

• Implement a drug and alcohol-free place of work

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Seminole County?

Yes. The state of Florida and Seminole County only allow licensed medical marijuana treatment centers to operate marijuana dispensaries. Only qualified patients can purchase medical marijuana from these dispensaries. Licensed medical marijuana treatment centers dispense low-THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) marijuana, medical marijuana, and marijuana equipment.

According to Florida Statute 381.986, medical marijuana treatment centers must test results to demonstrate that the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) meets potency requirements for low-THC marijuana before dispensing marijuana, and the label of the concentration of cannabidiol and THC should be displayed. All marijuana and marijuana-related products must be free of contaminants and safe for human consumption.

The sale of low-THC marijuana and edibles is legal in Seminole County, pursuant to Florida Statute 381.986. Medical marijuana treatment centers that produce edibles must be licensed as food establishments, according to the Florida Food Safety Act. Under Florida Statute 381.986, no edibles should contain more than 200 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol, and no edibles should exceed 10 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol per serving. Edibles should have a concentration variance not exceeding 15%.

When dispensing medical marijuana, the licensed medical marijuana treatment center must verify the patient's Medical Marijuana Use Registry card to determine the type and dose of medical marijuana as recommended by the qualified doctor. Only specific medical marijuana dosages and medical marijuana delivery devices are sold to patients.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Seminole County?

Yes. Under Florida Statute 381.986, licensed medical marijuana treatment centers may transport and distribute marijuana for medical purposes. Medical marijuana can only be delivered to patients with medical marijuana cards and their designated caregivers. Delivery can be made 24 hours a day.

To ensure the safe transportation of marijuana to qualified patients, marijuana testing laboratories, or other medical marijuana treatment centers, medical marijuana treatment centers are required to maintain marijuana transportation manifests on any vehicle that transports marijuana. These transportation manifests must be produced by the treatment center's seed-to-sale tracking system and include the following:

• Name, address, and license number of the medical marijuana treatment center where the marijuana originated

• Departure date and scheduled departure time

• Estimated arrival date and time

• Marijuana recipient's name and address

• Quantity and form of marijuana or marijuana delivery device supplied

• Delivery vehicle license plate number, vehicle make, and model

• Name and signature of the medical marijuana treatment center (MMTC) staff providing the product

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Seminole County

To obtain a Florida medical marijuana card, each patient must be a Florida resident, diagnosed with a certified medical condition by a qualifying doctor, and registered in the Medical Marijuana Use Registry by a qualifying doctor with a Medical Marijuana Use Registry Patient ID number.

New patient applications must include:

• An application form

• A copy of a Florida driver's license, valid ID, or other proof of residency

• Check or money order for $75 (application fee) payable to the Florida Department of Health

• A 2x2-inch passport-type, full-face photo taken within 90 days prior to application

Minor applications must also include:

• A designated caregiver application with a Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification Card

The qualifying health conditions are:

• Cancer

• Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus

• Epilepsy

• Acquired immune deficiency syndrome

• Posttraumatic stress disorder

• Multiple sclerosis

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

• Parkinson's disease

• Crohn's disease

• Glaucoma

• Diseases of the same type or class as above

• An incurable disease diagnosed by a referring physician other than the licensed physician who issued the certificate

• Chronic nonmalignant pain

The department encourages applicants to complete the process online to expedite the processing time. Patients will receive an email from the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) once the email has been approved and added to the registry by a qualified doctor. The qualified doctor will then direct the patients to the application. Once the application is approved, eligible patients will receive an approval email that they can enter to place an order at an approved medical marijuana treatment center (MMTC) while waiting for their physical card.

To learn more about medical marijuana cards, you may also mail or contact:

Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU)

Tampa, Florida

PO Box 31313

medicalmarijuanause@flhealth.gov

Tel: (800) 808-9580

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Seminole County?

A Duke University study titled "An Economic Analysis of Marijuana Legalization in Florida" found that the total annual savings and tax revenue for Florida from legalizing marijuana was $145.7 million in the short term and $285.5 million annually in the long term.

However, Florida Statute 381.986 states that medical marijuana is tax-free, but gross sales of medical marijuana are subject to a 6% sales tax statewide.

According to an update published by the Office of Medical Marijuana Use, from July 29 to August 4, 2022, a total of 243,358,822 milligrams of medical marijuana was sold by licensed medical marijuana treatment centers.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Seminole County \

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued an arrest database for Seminole County. The report for total drug arrests in Seminole County shows an increase in cases for the years 2015 to 2017⏤ from 2,258, 2,298, to 2,827, respectively. Note that the 2016 marijuana legalization in the state of Florida is for medical use only.

As for the DUI cases in Seminole County for 2015, 2016, and 2017, data generated from the same report showed a decrease in the number of cases from 632, 524, and 466, respectively.