FAQ’s from the FL DOH Office of Compassionate Use
The current processing time for Compassionate Use Registry Identification Cards is 30 days from the time the Department receives your application. If you are submitting an application by mail, please allow an additional 3-5 days for delivery of your application. Submitting an incomplete application will increase the amount of time required to process your account.
A patient must first seek treatment from a qualified physician. Once the ordering physician inputs the patient’s information and the order information into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry, the patient or the patient’s legal representative need to apply for a Compassionate Use Registry Identification Card. Once approved, a patient or legal representative will then be able to contact one of the licensed medical marijuana treatment centers and fill the order.
No. Florida law only allows the licensed dispensing organizations to grow, process and dispense marijuana. The department will refer any business or individual suspected of violating state law to local law enforcement for investigation. It is important to remember marijuana is illegal under federal law.
The Department is currently in the process of rulemaking and is not accepting applications for MMTCs at this time. To learn more about rulemaking for Amendment 2, please click here. The department will refer any business or individual suspected of violating state law to local law enforcement for investigation. It is important to remember marijuana is illegal under federal law.
In order to qualify to order medical marijuana for patients, a physician must have an active, unrestricted license as a physician under Chapter 458, F.S., or osteopathic physician under Chapter 459, F.S. Physicians who meet the above requirements may gain access to the Medical Marijuana Use Registry after completing the required course and examination provided by the Florida Medical Association and the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association. Successful completion of the course is required each time a physician renews his or her license.
“Low-THC cannabis” means a plant of the genus Cannabis, the dried flowers of which contain 0.8 percent or less of tetrahydrocannabinol and more than 10 percent of cannabidiol weight for weight; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; or any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant or its seeds or resin that is dispensed from a medical marijuana treatment center.
“Marijuana” means all parts of any plant of the genus Cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant or its seeds or resin, including low-THC cannabis, which are dispensed from a medical marijuana treatment center for medical use by a qualified patient.
An object used, intended for use, or designed for use in preparing, storing, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing marijuana into the human body, and which is dispensed from a medical marijuana treatment center for medical use by a qualified patient.
A list of physicians authorized to order low-THC cannabis, medical marijuana or cannabis delivery devices is available here: https://www.ionacannabisclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/completed-cme.pdf
A medical director must hold an active, unrestricted license as a physician under Chapter 458, Florida Statutes or as an osteopathic physician under Chapter 459, Florida Statutes. They must also complete a continuing education course and examination.
A licensed dispensing organization. (Link to http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/office-of-medical-marijuana-use/dispensing-organizations/index.html).
A patient must first seek treatment from a qualified physician. Once the ordering physician inputs the patient’s information and the order information into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry, the patient or the patient’s legal representative need to apply for a Compassionate Use Registry Identification Card. Once approved, a patient or legal representative will then be able to contact one of the licensed medical marijuana treatment centers and fill the order.
Medical marijuana treatment centers may only provide medical marijuana or a marijuana delivery device to a qualified patient or a qualified patient’s legal representative.
Florida rule 64-4.011, F.A.C. requires all patients and legal representatives to have a Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card to obtain medical marijuana, or a marijuana delivery device from a licensed dispensing organization.
Patients and legal representatives must provide their Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card to medical marijuana treatment centers in order to obtain medical marijuana, or a marijuana delivery device. Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification cards may also be used to assist in verifying that a patient or legal representative are in the Department of Health’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry.
The Department accepts applications from patients and legal representatives. Patients must be entered into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry by a qualified physician to receive a card. Applications may be submitted online through the Medical Marijuana Use Registry, or mailed to the Office of Medical Marijuana Use. All applications must include a registration fee of $75.
Yes. However, a patient wishing to serve as a legal representative for someone else must apply separately for a legal representative card and a patient card.
To maintain an active Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card, a patient and/or legal representative must annually submit a renewal application, along with the application fee and any required accompanying documents to the department forty-five (45) days prior to the card expiration date.
Requests to replace a lost or stolen card will require the cardholder to submit a Change, Replacement or Surrender Request Form, along with a copy of his or her Florida driver’s license or identification card and a $15 replacement fee.
There is a state mandated 7 month follow up visit and an annual recertification visit you will need to be physically present for in order to keep your card active.
No. It is illegal federally.
There are No third-party payers accepted and is NOT covered by insurance. Some MMTC’s may provide a discount or patient assistance programs.
This is grey area that we are not legally qualified to answer, but Dr. Sonn carries both his Medical Marijuana Card and his CCW as does our elected commissioner of agriculture, Nickie Fried, who is responsible for both departments.
A good estimate is 10 to 30 days. Contact the office of Medical Marijuana Use at: (800)808-9580. lona Cannabis Clinic does NOT have any control over the processing time.
Most MMTC’s offer convenient delivery services at a reasonable cost. You will need to contact you preferred MMTC to see what delivery option they offer.
Florida is a Right to Work State. You will need to contact your HR Department to confirm their policy. Dr. Sonn enjoys a challenge. Drop him an email and he will do an inservice.
How Do I Take Medical Marijuana / Cannabis?
The state of Florida currently approves the following methods:
- Capsules: product is suspended in oil in a capsule
- Oral syringe: place the oil under the tongue, on a cracker, or fill empty capsules
- Vaporizer pen: inhale the product but not carcinogens
- Tincture: squeeze drops from a dispenser bulb under the tongue visit the dispensary websites (listed near bottom of this page) for explanations of various forms and their advantages, and contact the dispensaries directly for specific product information and prices.