Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry (MMUR)

What is the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry?

This is a registry in which qualifying medical marijuana patients must register to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program. In 2014, the Florida Legislature passed the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act to partially legalize medical cannabis. The Compassionate Use Medical Act established the Compassionate Use Registry, under which patients with certain debilitating conditions registered and used low-THC cannabis products. In November 2016, Florida voters approved Amendment 2 to legalize medical marijuana fully. Afterward, a special legislative session passed Senate Bill 8A in 2017 to implement rules for making medical cannabis available to qualifying persons in the state.

Following the enactment of SB 8A, also known as the Medical Marijuana Act, the Florida Department of Health established the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). In addition, it renamed the Compassionate Use Registry to the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry (MMUR). Under this registry, qualified patients and caregivers must obtain Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification cards in order to buy medical cannabis products legally. The Florida OMMU now oversees the state's Medical Marijuana Use Registry, and qualifying medical marijuana patients can designate caregivers to help them purchase and administer medical cannabis.

How Old to Join the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry?

Qualifying medical marijuana patients aged 18 years or older and caregivers who must be at least 21 years old can join the Florida Medical Marijuana Registry. However, Florida's medical cannabis law does not restrict access to the state's MMUR based on age. Hence, qualifying patients who are minors (under 18) can also join the Florida MMUR., but they must meet the following requirements:

• Their parents or legal guardians must provide the Florida OMMU with written consent for the use of medical cannabis
• They must designate caregivers
• Two qualified healthcare practitioners must determine that the use of medical cannabis would outweigh the potential risks for the patients, and their recommendations must be documented in their (patients) medical records

Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry Qualifying Conditions

• HIV/AIDS
• Multiple sclerosis
• Glaucoma
• Parkinson's disease
• Epilepsy
• A terminal condition diagnosed by a healthcare provider other than the qualified physician issuing certification for medical cannabis
• Crohn's disease
• Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying condition that persists beyond the normal course of that medical condition
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Debilitating medical conditions of the same class or kind as those already listed. These include depression, anxiety, and migraines.

What Practitioners are Eligible to Recommend the Use of Medical Cannabis?

• Medical Doctors (MDs)
• Doctors of Osteopathy (DOs)

Must a Practitioner Obtain a License Before Issuing a Medical Card Recommendation?

Yes. As stipulated in Chapter 458 and Chapter 459 of the Florida Statutes, medical providers must have active licenses in order to recommend qualifying patients for Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification cards. In addition, they must complete the Florida Physician Medical Marijuana Course, a 2-hour CME course and exam, in order to certify patients for medical marijuana in the state.

Do Physicians Need to Manage Patients Before Recommending Them for the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry?

Although having an existing relationship with a physician who can recommend a person for the Florida Medical Marijuana Registry is strongly preferred, it is not legally required.

Do Physicians Have to Join the State’s Medical Marijuana Program/Registry to Recommend Medical Marijuana to Patients?

Yes. A qualified physician must register in the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry for a provider account before they can recommend medical cannabis to qualifying patients.

Can a Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry Practitioner Use Telemedicine for Patient Assessment?

While it is possible for a Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry doctor to recertify a qualifying patient for medical cannabis via telemedicine, state law requires in-person consultation for initial certification. Initial certification for medical cannabis treatment may only be issued after a physician conducts a physical examination while in the same place as the patient. However, a qualifying patient who changes their physician cannot meet their new physician via telehealth for medical cannabis certification renewal. The new physician must conduct an in-person physical assessment of the patient at their first meeting, after which they may recertify via telemedicine.

How to Find Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry Doctors

A qualifying patient can obtain a written certification for medical cannabis therapy from any qualified Florida Medical Marijuana Registry physician. Alternatively, they can use the DOH's Medical Marijuana Qualified Physician Search tool to find a doctor who can recommend medical cannabis in the state.

How to Apply for the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry

To apply for the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry, a patient must visit a licensed physician who is eligible to recommend medical cannabis treatment. If the patient is diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition, the physician will request their email address and enter their details into the MMUR. Afterward, the patient will receive two separate emails from the Florida OMMU; one will contain the applicant's username and the other a temporary password. They can change their password through the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry login.

After changing their Medical Marijuana Use Registry password, the patient or caregiver can access the "Your Card" page on the MMUR to complete an online application for their medical cannabis card. The Office of Medical Marijuana Use provides instructions on how to get a Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification card online. Alternatively, they can submit completed Patient Application Form or Caregiver Application Form, whichever is applicable, to the Florida OMMU by mail at:

Office of Medical Marijuana Use

P.O. Box 31313

Tampa, FL 33631-3313