FAQ - Medical Marijuana

What is the status of my Medical Marijuana Use Registry Card Application?

• The medical Marijuana Use Registry is linked to the Florida department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ (FLHSMV) demographic database to make the ID card application and approval process more efficient. Using the FLHSMV sourced data will automatically approve the photo and proof of residency and may cut down on processing time. Online applications take an average of about 10 business days for approval.

• If you are submitting an application through mail, please add an additional 3-5 days for postal delivery of your application.

• Patients and caregivers can check the status of their application by calling 800-808-9580 or through the Medical Marijuana Use Registry.

How do I renew my ID card?

• To maintain an active Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card, a patient and/or caregiver 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. Patients and caregivers can submit a renewal application either online or by mail.

• You can refer to Renewal Application Instructional Guide to help you renew.

What happens if I need a new ID card?

• Requests to change information on an ID card or 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.

• To change your address on your ID card, follow step-by-step instructions on our Address Change Instructional Guide.

Where can I find a qualified physician who can order medical marijuana?

• The OMMU provides a list of physicians who are authorized to order low- THC cannabis, medical marijuana or cannabis delivery devices. Patients are also able to utilize the Medical Marijuana Qualified Physician Search to find a qualified physician by location and specialty.

Where can I get medical marijuana?

• A patient must first seek treatment from a qualified physician. Once the qualified physician inputs the patient’s information and the order information into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry, the patient and the patient caregiver (if applicable) need to apply for Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification Card. Once approved, a patient or caregiver will then be able to contact one of the licensed medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs) and fill the order.

Who can sell medical marijuana?

• Only licensed medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs) can sell medical marijuana. Medical marijuana may not be purchased from any location other than an approved MMTC.

• MMTC may only provide medical marijuana or a marijuana delivery device to a qualified patient or qualified patients caregiver.

Can I grow my own marijuana?

• No. Florida law only allows licensed medical marijuana treatment centers 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 that marijuana is illegal under federal law.

Does Florida allow reciprocity?

• The state of Florida does not offer reciprocity. Cannabis remains a schedule 1 substance under both state and federal law. The 22 currently licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers only dispense orders to qualified Florida patients, and their caregivers, who have had an order added to the Medical Marijuana Use Registry by their qualified physician. To learn more about becoming a qualified patient in Florida, please visit the Patients page.

• If you are traveling to another state in which medical marijuana is legal, you will need to contact that state regarding their laws on reciprocity.
  

How do I apply to open a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center?

• The department is currently in the process of rule making and is not accepting applications for MMTCs at this time. To learn more about rule making for Amendment 2, please click here. The department will refer any business or individual suspected of violating state to local law enforcement for investigation. It is important to remember marijuana is illegal under federal law.

What is a marijuana delivery device?

• An object used, intended for use or designed for use in preparing, storing, ingesting, inhaling or otherwise introducing marijuana into the human body, which is dispensed from a medic marijuana treatment center for medical use by a qualified patient, except that delivery devices intended for the medical use of marijuana by smoking need not be dispensed from a medical marijuana treatment center in order to qualify as marijuana delivery devices.

How do I use my Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card?

• Patients and caregivers must provide their Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card to medical marijuana treatment centers in order to obtain medical marijuana or a medical marijuana delivery device. Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification cards may also be used to assist in verifying that a patient or caregiver are in the department of Health’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry.

If I am a patient, may I also serve as a caregiver for someone else?

• Yes. However, a patient wishing to serve as a caregiver for someone else must apply separately for a caregiver card and a patient card.
  

*** Medical Marijuana is available in Florida, however, remains illegal under federal law.