4 Steps to Get Medical Marijuana in Florida

Shutterstock/Brian Goodman

By Crystal Harlan

April 19, 2023

You must be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition to get a medical marijuana ID card in Florida.

While recreational marijuana may not be legal in Florida, medical marijuana is available to those who qualify. Here are the steps you need to follow to get it:

1. Get Qualified.

First, you have to be a permanent or seasonal Florida resident, then you have to be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a physician who has completed the required training. The Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) provides a list of qualified positions as well as a searchable database.

Medical conditions that qualify include:

  • Cancer
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV/AIDA
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Terminal illness
  • Chronic pain


2. Get on the Medical Marijuana Use Registry.

Your physician will enter you or your caregiver into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry. Once registered, you will receive two emails from the OMMU: one containing your username and one containing a temporary password.

The registry login is HERE.

3. Apply for Your Registry ID Card.

You can complete an electronic or paper application. To apply online, login to the Medical Marijuana Use Registry and click on “Your Card” to complete the application.

For information on how to apply for an ID card, visit the OMMU’s instructional guides

The Medical Marijuana Use Registry is linked to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ (FLHSMV) database. 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 10 business days for approval.

Patients and caregivers must annually submit an application to maintain an active ID card.

4. Find a Licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Center.

You (or your caregiver) can only purchase medical marijuana from a state-approved medical marijuana treatment center (MMTC). It is illegal in Florida to grow your own marijuana. Some MMTCs will deliver your medical marijuana order, which is helpful if you do not live near a MMTC. Visit OMMU’s MMTC page to find a provider in your area.

Author

  • Crystal Harlan

    Crystal is a bilingual editor and writer with over 20 years of experience in digital and print media. She is currently based in Florida, but has lived in small towns in the Midwest, Caracas, New York City, and Madrid, where she earned her MA in Spanish literature.

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