Wafa Azeem – The Sanctuary Wellness Institute https://sanctuarywellnessinstitute.com/blog Tue, 19 Nov 2024 09:55:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://sanctuarywellnessinstitute.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/favicon-80x80.png Wafa Azeem – The Sanctuary Wellness Institute https://sanctuarywellnessinstitute.com/blog 32 32 Benefits of Having a Medical Marijuana Card in Florida https://sanctuarywellnessinstitute.com/blog/benefits-of-having-a-medical-marijuana-card-in-florida/ Thu, 12 Sep 2024 14:21:35 +0000 https://sanctuarywellnessinstitute.com/blog/?p=31011

Benefits of Having a Medical Marijuana Card in Florida

  • Published: September 12, 2024
  • Updated: November 19, 2024
Benefits of Having a Medical Marijuana Card in Florida
Table of Contents

Amendment 3 (the Marijuana Legalization Initiative) on the upcoming Florida ballot will determine the legality of recreational marijuana in the state. Recent polls show strong support, with a significant majority favoring legalization. This raises questions for medical marijuana patients about whether medical cards will become obsolete or remain useful should the measure pass.

At The Sanctuary Wellness Institute, we have the answers to all your medical marijuana questions. No matter how the vote turns out in November, our medical marijuana doctors and wellness team are here to provide the information you need to make informed decisions about your health.

Do I still need a medical marijuana card if recreational cannabis becomes legal?

If you qualify for medical marijuana use, we recommend keeping your card or even obtaining one. Even if Amendment 3 passes, there are many benefits to having a card, including tax exemption, professional guidance from a healthcare provider, and more.

In July 2024, we surveyed our Florida medical marijuana patients and found that 80% of them still plan on using and obtaining medical marijuana cards even if recreational marijuana becomes legalized. However, only 66% said they knew the benefits of keeping their card. Let’s go over some of the main benefits of keeping that medical card.

Reasons to Have a Medical Marijuana Card

Top Reasons to Have a Medical Marijuana Card in Florida

For Florida residents, obtaining a medical marijuana card offers a range of benefits that can significantly enhance quality of life. From accessing a wider variety of medical cannabis products to enjoying legal protections and personalized care, having a medical marijuana card provides numerous advantages tailored to individual health needs. In this guide, we explore the top reasons why obtaining a medical marijuana card in Florida can be a pivotal step towards better health and well-being.

1. No State Taxes on Medical Marijuana

One key benefit of obtaining or retaining a medical marijuana card is the favorable tax treatment for medical marijuana. In Florida and many other states, medical marijuana is exempt from taxes, unlike recreational marijuana, which is often subject to additional excise and sales taxes on top of local taxes.

While we don’t know how Florida will tax recreational cannabis if legalized, we do know what other states with legalized recreational marijuana charge. These states often have varying tax rates on cannabis sales, including percentage-of-price taxes, weight-based taxes, and potency-based taxes.

Examples of state tax rates on marijuana include:

  • California: 15% excise tax
  • Colorado: 15% retail marijuana tax plus 2.9% state sales tax
  • Oregon: 17% retail sales tax, with an additional 3% local tax option
  • Michigan: 10% excise tax and 6% sales tax
  • Montana: 20% excise tax
  • Virginia: 21% excise tax
  • Washington: 37% excise tax

Regardless of what Florida ends up charging, medical marijuana card holders can enjoy many tax exemption benefits with their medical cards.

No State Taxes on Medical Marijuana

2. Lower Age Limits for Medical Marijuana Patients

While recreational marijuana use in Florida may be limited to adults 21 and older if legalized, medical marijuana patients can access treatment at a younger age with proper authorization. Anyone 18 years and older may apply for a medical marijuana card in Florida, while minors can qualify under the supervision of an approved medical marijuana caregiver.

Florida requires caregivers to be state residents aged 21 or older, complete certification every two years, pass background checks, and carry proper ID when handling marijuana. This system allows minor patients with qualifying conditions to receive necessary treatment under the supervision of a responsible adult, ensuring safe and compliant access to medical marijuana for those who need it, regardless of age.

Lower Age Limits for Medical Marijuana Patients

3. Ongoing Care & Guidance from Healthcare Professionals

Medical marijuana card holders benefit from ongoing professional care and guidance. Determining things like the right dosage and strain can be tricky. For example, many people don’t know the difference between sativa and indica, whether cannabis is better smoked or ingested, or how to enjoy cannabis without a high.

Part of the medical marijuana process involves seeing a provider every 7 months. Talking to a doctor allows you to discuss specific ailments and come up with treatment plans tailored to your needs. It takes the guesswork out of cannabis care and can help prevent misuse.

4. Access to Medical Marijuana Out-of-State (in Some States)

Having a medical marijuana card can provide peace of mind and ensure uninterrupted care when you travel or spend extended periods out of state. While policies vary, several states with medical marijuana programs have reciprocity agreements, allowing visitors to purchase and use medical cannabis within their borders. Users without a card do not have this privilege and are limited to states where recreational marijuana is legal.

For further information on this topic, read “Which U.S. States Accept Out-of-State Medical Marijuana Cards?” to learn more.

5. Medical Cards May Allow Higher Quantity of Cannabis

Medical marijuana card holders will likely be permitted to possess higher quantities of cannabis than recreational users. While the proposed Amendment 3 would allow recreational users to possess up to three ounces (3 oz) of marijuana and five grams (5 g) of concentrate, medical marijuana patients currently enjoy more generous allowances. Medical marijuana patients are allowed to possess up to four ounces (4 oz) of smokable cannabis at a time, with a purchase limit of 2.5 ounces (2.5 oz) within any rolling 35-day period.

Additionally, qualified physicians can issue certifications for up to three 70-day supply limits of non-smokable medical cannabis or up to six 35-day limits of smokable flower. These higher quantity allowances are crucial for patients who require consistent and effective dosing to manage chronic conditions.

As cannabis regulations continue to develop, we anticipate that medical marijuana cardholders will maintain these greater allowances, ensuring they have access to the amount of cannabis necessary for their health and well-being.

Other Potential Benefits

While we don’t yet know all the ramifications of Florida legalizing recreational marijuana, we anticipate several other reasons why medical marijuana patients should keep their medical cards. In addition to the advantages listed above, here are some potential benefits we predict for medical marijuana cardholders compared to recreational cannabis purchasers:

  • Home Delivery: Although Amendment 3 doesn’t say anything about home delivery for recreational marijuana, our best guess is that only medical marijuana patients will continue to enjoy this perk from dispensaries that offer delivery.
  • Higher Potency Allowance: We know that medicinal users may not exceed 24,500 mg of THC in a 70 day period, but no information has been provided yet for potency allowances for recreational use. We predict that recreational users will not be permitted the same potency as medical users.
  • Medical-Only Cannabis Dispensaries: We anticipate some dispensaries becoming exclusive to medical patients only. Currently we are waiting on the state to see if they will allow medical and recreational products in the same dispensaries, or if they will require separate stores. If they do require separate, this could be good news for medical card holders by giving them an exclusive experience apart from the wider crowd.

Conclusion

Much will be determined by November’s election results, but one thing that won’t change is the benefit of having a medical marijuana card in Florida. Regardless of the outcome of Amendment 3, maintaining a medical card will continue to offer invaluable advantages that enhance the quality and effectiveness of cannabis treatment and your overall health.

Get Your Florida Medical Marijuana Card with the Sanctuary

At The Sanctuary, we simplify obtaining your Florida medical marijuana card. You can start the process by scheduling an in-person appointment with one of our licensed medical marijuana doctors. During the appointment, the doctor will evaluate your health to determine if you have a qualifying condition. If eligible, your information will be entered into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry (MMUR). You’ll then receive an email from the state with instructions to apply for your medical marijuana card online or by mail, where you’ll need to provide proof of residency, a passport-style photo, and a small fee. After that, all you have to do is wait for your card to arrive in the mail!

We’re here to help you every step of the way, so call or make an appointment online!

Areas Where We Offer Medical Marijuana Card Services

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]]> Survey: Medical Marijuana Patients’ Thoughts on Florida’s 2024 Legalization Vote https://sanctuarywellnessinstitute.com/blog/patient-survey-florida-marijuana-legalization/ Mon, 05 Aug 2024 16:51:00 +0000 https://sanctuarywellnessinstitute.com/blog/?p=29849

Survey: Medical Marijuana Patients’ Thoughts on Florida’s 2024 Legalization Vote

Medical Marijuana Patients Survey
Table of Contents

In light of Florida’s upcoming vote to legalize recreational marijuana, we at The Sanctuary Wellness Institute canvassed thousands of our medical marijuana patients and asked for their opinions.

The results might surprise you.

Read more to find out what our patients had to say, as well as useful information about Florida Amendment 3, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, which will be on the ballot on November 5, 2024.

What Our Clients Say About Florida’s Upcoming Initiative to Legalize Marijuana

With the upcoming initiative to legalize marijuana in the state of Florida, we wanted to reach out to our clients to provide feedback on this potential change. We asked them a series of questions to gauge where they stood on the issue and how they were likely to vote in November.

In 2016, Florida voters adopted medical marijuana with a resounding 71% to 29% vote. Medical use of cannabis has provided relief for millions of individuals around the country who suffer from a variety of health conditions. As of November of last year, 24 states (including Washington D.C.) have legalized use of marijuana for recreational purposes.

Here’s what we asked our patients about Florida’s upcoming vote and how they responded:

Do you support marijuana becoming recreational?

Result: Mostly Yes

The large majority of our medical marijuana patients we surveyed showed support for legalizing recreational marijuana, with 90.88% of patients in favor. A minority of 9.12% oppose the initiative.

Do you support marijuana becoming recreational?

Would you still obtain a medical marijuana card if marijuana becomes recreational?

Result: Mostly Yes

79.55% of our respondents said they would still obtain a medical marijuana card even if it becomes legal for recreational use, while 20.45% said they would not.

One of our patients said, “I feel safer with a card,” stating that getting a marijuana prescription with proper dosage from a doctor is a safer approach than recreational consumption.

recreational marijuana card

Do you know the benefits of having a medical card compared to recreational marijuana?

Result: Mostly Yes

More than 66% of patients recognized the advantage of having a medical marijuana card over recreational usage alone.

At the Sanctuary, we feel it is important that the public is informed of the benefits of having a medical marijuana card. Even if Amendment 3 is passed, only card holders will enjoy benefits such as:

benefits of having a medical card

Do you see any problems arising if marijuana becomes recreational?

Despite some concerns about potential problems arising from recreational marijuana use, the majority of our respondents believe the benefits outweigh the risks. The responses were split as follows:

  • No Problems: ~65%
  • Yes, some problems: ~32%
  • Yes, some problems, but benefits outweigh risks: ~3%
arising if marijuana becomes recreational

Most of our patients view legalizing cannabis as a positive development, hoping it will reduce the negative stigma perpetuated by outdated think-pieces. One respondent stated, “…after the rollout, it [the conflict about marijuana legalization] will calm down. Many other states can attest.”

Other patients shared that decriminalization and community support through tax revenue are other potential positive outcomes of legalizing marijuana.

arising if marijuana becomes recreational?” quotes from patients

However, among the 32% who have concerns about legalization, we heard several concerns about the following potential problems:

  • Increased abuse of marijuana
  • Over-regulation and high taxation by the government
  • Potential supply issues or increased costs

Do you plan to vote “Yes” in support of making marijuana become recreational in November?

Result: Mostly Yes

support of making marijuana

An overwhelming 90% of surveyed patients intend to vote in favor of Florida’s marijuana legalization initiative. This strong support reflects the growing momentum behind Amendment 3, which could significantly impact the November election results.

One enthusiastic patient expressed, “I’ve been waiting since the 70’s for this!”

Survey

Conclusion

Our survey reveals strong support among medical marijuana patients for Florida Amendment 3, with nearly 91% in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana. Regardless of what happens in November and how that impacts society, we at The Sanctuary remain passionate about connecting people with the care they need to live a healthier, happier life.

If you are interested in receiving the many benefits of medical cannabis, you can get in touch with us to schedule an initial appointment with one of our licensed medical marijuana doctors to see if you qualify for a medical card. We will guide you through the entire process of applying for an MMJ card in Florida or your home state.

Methodology

In July 2025, we surveyed 4,167 of our medical marijuana patients who live in the state of Florida for their opinion on potential marijuana laws.

Our Florida Locations

Frequently Asked Questions

Florida’s Amendment 3 will be on the ballot in Florida on November 5, 2024 as an initiated constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana. The initiative would do the following:

  • Legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 years and older
  • Allow individuals to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana (~85 grams) with up to 5 grams in the form of concentrate
  • Allow existing medical marijuana treatment centers to sell marijuana products to adults for personal use
  • Allow the state to grant licenses to organizations other than existing Medical Marijauna Treatment Centers to cultivate and sell marijuana products

The initiative amends Florida’s Constitution Article X, Section 29 by adding the following statement, among others: “The non-medical personal use of marijuana products and marijuana accessories by an adult, as defined below, in compliance with this section is not subject to any criminal or civil liability or sanctions under Florida Law.”

Although early polls indicated that the measure to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida lacked the necessary backing with only 49% support, a more recent poll by Florida Politics revealed 64% support among 1,065 likely voters.

In fact, Florida’s current support levels are similar to or higher than what many other states saw before legalizing. For example, when California legalized in 2016, the measure passed with about 57% support. Additionally, according to Smart & Safe Florida, the committee behind the push to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida has broken new fundraising records.

The upcoming vote to legalize recreational marijuana will require an amendment to the Florida constitution. The Florida constitution can be changed in one of the following ways:

  • Initiative: This is a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment that allows citizens to change the constitution through a ballot measure (like Amendment 3 to legalize recreational marijuana). To propose such an amendment, supporters must gather signatures equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last presidential election. These signatures must come from at least 14 of the state’s 27 congressional districts. For the amendment to pass, 60% of voters must approve it. As of August 2024, polls indicate more than enough voter approval to carry the amendment forward.
  • Legislature: For the Florida State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot, a 60% vote is required in one legislative session. This means at least 72 votes in the Florida House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Florida State Senate, assuming there are no vacancies. Once on the ballot, amendments must receive 60% voter approval to pass.
  • Convention: A constitutional convention can be called if 15% of the electorate signs a petition requesting it, with the same distribution requirements as a citizen initiative. Any amendments proposed by the convention must be approved by 60% of voters in a general election.
  • Commission-referred constitutional amendments: The Florida Revision Constitution Commision and the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission can propose constitutional amendments to the ballot. But it might take a while as both convene every 20 years. Florida is the only state that allows commissions to do this.

The final decision rests with Florida voters on November 5, but current support for recreational marijuana legalization appears strong with polls indicating that at least 64% of likely voters support the measure. The outcome of this vote could mark a pivotal moment in Florida’s approach to cannabis regulation and use. If passed, the amendment will become effective 6 months after the vote.

If cannabis is legalized in Florida, you will no longer need a medical marijuana card to purchase marijuana products. However, having a medical card will most likely remain advantageous. Those with a medical marijuana card benefit from cost savings and tax exemptions, lower age limits, higher potency allowance, home delivery, and more.

States Where We Offer Medical Marijuana Card Services

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