First and foremost it is worth noting that despite the fact that the marijuana Amendment came into effect in January of the year 2017, it has not been in active implementation since. That particular Amendment which permits patients with specific medical conditions to access medical weed has only started being implemented in the recent past with significance wide opening up of dispensaries all over Florida. You copy be wondering, why the delay? Well, it’s all because of the long process that growers have to follow so they can get accredited in operation of medical marijuana. For users, the step is less complicated and well listed for you in such an organized manner. If you happen to be a legal Florida resident requiring to use medical marijuana, it all begins by visiting a Medical Marijuana(MMJ) licensed doctor so you can acquire medical marijuana card (MMJ card).
- Put together all the necessary medical records you may have and get an appointment with a doctor
One should have the proof that they are Florida residents. They should also have any past medical history records that pertains to the case of the use of medical marijuana.
- Consult with your Medical Marijuana doctor for further instructions
Notably, most health facilities have doctors that have undergone intensive training and surpass the certification stage as required by the state. Such hospitals only require you to contact them directly and you don’t have to be referred by one of your usual doctors. Once eligibility of a patient is confirmed, they are issued with a registry identity number for patients. That particular Identity number is so essential as it is to be filled in the application form so as to complete the state’s application requirements. Notably, the application here is the actual registration that one files for to acquire a medical marijuana card. At this point, the doctors in charge will add the patient’s name to the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry. They will put down the patient’s name, diagnosis, recommendation, identity number among other identification information profile. From this point, the applicant is required to wait for authorization from the state as well as activation of their application.
- What are the qualifying health conditions considered ?
One ought to keep in mind that only quite a number of health conditions are looked at when assessing whether one is clearly in need of use of medical marijuana. They include;
- Seizures
- Glaucoma
- Epilepsy
- HIV/AIDS
- Chronic muscle spasms
- Cancer
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Chron’s disease
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Anxiety
- Anorexia
- Complete and submit your application online
Once one gets approval from their medical doctor, they may submit their complete application to the office in charge of medical marijuana use. Alternatively, one may let the doctors’ office submit it on their behalf. Notably, this process happens to be the longest of them all. It is said to take up to three weeks for the DOH to complete the reviewing process of one’s application. Once they are contented with the credibility of the documents, a medical marijuana card is issued. Please note that this time period of waiting will exist even if your paper work is in complete order. Please continue reading.
After the three weeks period, one is likely to receive an email indicating the activation of their listing. With the email, one is permitted to buy and use medical marijuana in Florida.
It is advisable that one avoids waiting for the card to arrive so they can do medical marijuana transactions. This is because it might take another two to three months for the card to be ready for collection. So, it is not worth waiting but instead always have your usual ID to health centers and the personnel in charge can always check up the database for one’s active listing.
- Who is to use medical weed in Florida?
Authorization is released to patients which doctors think that their medical conditions fall under the listed category. Also, only people that prove to be residents of Florida are allowed to use medical marijuana.
- Will any medical marijuana card be operational?
It is helpful to keep in mind that valid cards are issued by the Florida Department of Health exclusively. Cards from other sources other than this department may fail to be honored by dispensary organizations as well as licensed growers of marijuana.
- Let’s talk about costs
It is important that one gets to know what amounts of money they are likely to spend in the process of getting weed medication. This will help on budgeting properly with precision. To begin with, the application fee as per the state’s requirement will cost one an amount of $75. In addition, one has to pay about $230 for consultation during the evaluation stage. Notably, the cost of the specific medical marijuana might vary depending on what product one requires as well as the quantity. The good thing about consultation is that several health facilities get to waiver back the consultation fee that one paid initially once they establish that one does not qualify for marijuana in Florida.
- Does insurance cover for any of those costs?
Be informed that Medicaid as well as Medicare does not only fail to cover medical marijuana but also medical marijuana evaluations. That means that for one to benefit, they should use straight cash or rather a credit card if raw cash is unavailable. The card is the ultimate license to authorization to use medical marijuana in Florida.
- What about expiry and renewal of the medical marijuana card?
The medical marijuana card which is also known as the Compassionate Use Registry Card is only legit for a period of one year. After the period elapses, one is required to renew it.
To avoid being caught up by time, it is advisable that one gets to take a look at the expiry date of the card once the get hold of it. They can later create a calendar reminder so that they avoid forgetting to schedule an appointment with their doctors in a period of thirty to sixty days prior the card expiration.
Doing this will ensure that one does not have to go through a lapse during the medication span. Notably, upon expiration one will be required to pay a registration fee that amounts to $75 as per the state requirement for renewal of activation. In addition, the consultation fees are to be paid too so that one can be assessed on eligibility of the use of medical marijuana. Once you have done all this, you are free to enjoy the benefits conferred by your marijuana medication without hitches.
- Where is one free to purchase the drug with a medical marijuana card in Florida?
Medical Marijuana Treatment Center or (MMTC) is a common term used to refer to medical marijuana dispensaries in Florida. These dispensaries are permitted to carry out quite a number of activities revolving around marijuana including growing, cultivation, manufacturing as well as selling marijuana and marijuana products. Usually, every dispensary not only have its own array of products but also a distinguished brand. Different MMTC deal with different items and therefore one should choose a dispensary that deals with the products that they are interested in. Inarguably, selection of doctors that will aid in choosing a desirable MMTC is a plus. Most of them have familiarized with the types of marijuana products each dispensary have to offer in a particular region.
- What is the right amount of of medical marijuana to consume?
First and foremost, I would like to drop a disclaimer stating that we are not professional medical marijuana doctors as we simply recommend medical marijuana in Orlando and other areas of Florida. However, it is important to keep in mind that variations will occur in the array of medication based on the MMTC as well as prices of medical marijuana products. One has the freedom to buy any amount of the product provided it does not out step the prescribed 70 day medication assignment that one is permitted to partake at once. Guidelines on dosage are to start low and go slow too. Moreover, one has the freedom to select any combination or rather products on a condition that they avoid violating any of the exceptions listed in the prescriptions provided by their physicians. The products come in various forms including; oral spray tincture, concentrated extracts, high CBD, high THC, ground flowers, Indica, hybrid and Sativa.
Besides, it is okay for one to select any desirable MMTC. Free delivery might be offered by some of the listed MMTC which is a great customer service that would suit needs of many.
- Is it okay to take your medical weed outside Florida?
Users ought to keep in mind that taking medication to different states other than Florida is unacceptable. Use and possession of the medication should only be within the state borders. Violation of this order might see one facing criminal charges. One might be on the offence side of law for possession of marijuana even if this those states have their own recreation as well as medical marijuana laws. Therefore, it is wise that one gets to take caution and adhere to the guidelines spelt out to avoid getting in trouble that could even send them to serving years in jail.
- Can one use medical weed anywhere in Florida
The medical marijuana law of Florida states that public places are not appropriate for use of marijuana. Therefore it is up to all the licensed users to be law abiding citizens of Florida. Be informed!
- Can a licensed user become a grower of medical marijuana?
Being an authorized user of medical marijuana does not ultimately suggest that one has the free will to decide on growing the plant themselves. One is required to pay $50 million to get the state license to grow it. Therefore, it is a good advice for legalized users to stick to their lane!
- Keep close to your doctor
It is advisable that one keeps communicating with their physician constantly. This is because the doctors might want to follow up on the experience of the use of medical marijuana from the patient. That way, the doctors are able to know how well one is responding to the dose prescribed as well as the type of marijuana they bought. They can therefore make informed decisions such as adjusting some aspects of medication when necessary.
In conclusion, it is not that complicated learning how to obtain medical weed in Florida. Get licensed and proceed on to acquiring the medication from licensed distributors. Pay attention to all the laws pertaining to the rightful use of medical marijuana and abide to them. That way, you will be a happy user of medical marijuana in Florida. Call (800) 303-9916.