Medical Program Only Medical Cannabis Laws in Florida
- 2014 – Gov. Rick Scott signed into law Senate Bill 1030 – the “Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act” – to allow the use of low-THC, high-CBD cannabis oil produced from the strain of cannabis known as Charlotte’s Web.
- 2014 – Florida Amendment 2 is proposed, but the initiative fails.
- 2016 – House Bill 307 was signed into law by Gov. Scott on March 25, 2016, to expand the state’s ‘Right to Try Act’ to allow terminally ill patients to use cannabis.
- 2016 – Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization, Amendment 2 (2016)
– Under Amendment 2, a patient can access medical cannabis if a physician determines that the benefits of the drug would likely outweigh the potential health risks.
– Florida regulations did not allow for smoking the medication; instead the product could be consumed as edibles or by vaping, oils, sprays, or pills. - 2018 – The ban on smoking herbal cannabis is deemed unconstitutional.
- 2019 – The ban on smoking cannabis is lifted.
Telehealth for Medical Marijuana Consultations in Florida
Telemedicine for medical cannabis was legal for medical cannabis certificate renewals in Florida during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this is no longer the case.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana / Cannabis Patients in Florida
- AIDS/HIV
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
- Cancer
- Chronic Pain (Nonmalignant) caused by a qualifying medical condition or that originates from a qualifying medical condition and persists beyond the usual course of that qualifying medical condition
- Crohn’s Disease
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Terminal Condition that is diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the physician certification
- Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those above
Medical Marijuana for Minors in Florida
You must be aged 18 or over to qualify for a medical marijuana card and undergo a medical cannabis evaluation for yourself in Florida. Those under the age of 18 are considered minors, and will need a caregiver. Caregivers must be aged at least 21 years-old, and cannot have a felony conviction. Minors also need to obtain a marijuana certification from two doctors instead of one.
Some Florida schools do have policies allowing medical marijuana use at school, under their own given rules. Florida schools are allowed to use their own discretion when it comes to medical marijuana use, and some school districts can prohibit its use.
Cannabis Possession Limits in Florida
For medical card holders = 4 oz. at any given time.
Cannabis Cultivation Laws in Florida
It is illegal to grow cannabis in Florida.
Medical Cannabis Qualification, Gun Laws and Convictions
Medical marijuana use prohibits you from obtaining a weapons permit in Florida, as the federal government considers medical marijuana to be a controlled substance, which is against federal law.
Medical Marijuana and Employment Laws
There are no explicit workplace protections for medical marijuana users in Florida. The state statute on medical pot upholds an employer’s right to enforce a drug-free workplace and doesn’t require companies to accommodate workers’ medical marijuana use.
Local Cannabis Laws in Florida
Counties that have decriminalized or lessened the penalties with regards to non-medical cannabis possession include:
- Alachua County
- Cocoa Beach
- Miami Beach
- Miami-Dade County
- Broward County
- Hallandale Beach
- Key West
- Osceola County
- Palm Beach County
- Tampa
- Orlando
- Port Richey
- Sarasota
- Volusia County
- West Palm Beach