About the Florida Medical Marijuana Program
Florida voters approved Amendment 2 in 2016, significantly expanding the state's medical marijuana program and establishing broader access to medical marijuana for patients with qualifying medical conditions. The program is administered by the Florida Department of Health's Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), which oversees the Medical Marijuana Use Registry (MMUR) and the licensing of Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs).
To participate in the program, an eligible patient must be evaluated by a qualified physician who determines whether the patient qualifies for medical marijuana and issues a physician certification. The qualified physician enters the patient into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry. The patient must then complete the required application process for a Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card. Qualified patients may obtain medical marijuana from licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) in accordance with their physician certification.
Who Is Eligible for Medical Marijuana in Florida?
To qualify for medical marijuana in Florida, a patient must generally meet the following requirements:
- You must be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a qualified physician. Patients under 18 may qualify, but additional requirements apply to minors, including concurrence from a second physician.
- You must be a permanent Florida resident or meet the state's requirements for a seasonal resident.
- You must be entered into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry by a qualified physician and obtain a Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card.
Patients under 18 must have a caregiver to purchase or administer medical marijuana on their behalf. Florida caregivers must generally be at least 21 years old and meet the state's caregiver requirements.
How Do I Prove Florida Residency?
Full-Time Residents
Adult permanent Florida residents must provide a copy of a valid Florida driver's license or Florida identification card. For online applications, the Medical Marijuana Use Registry is connected to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) demographic database. If the applicant's information matches, their Florida residency status can be automatically added to the application and approved.
For paper applications, or if the applicant's residency cannot be verified through FLHSMV, a copy of a valid Florida driver's license or Florida identification card must be provided.
Temporary/Part-Time/Seasonal Residents
According to Florida law, a temporary resident is someone who:
- Temporarily resides in Florida for at least 31 consecutive days in each calendar year
- Maintains a temporary residence in Florida
- Returns to their state or jurisdiction of residence at least once during each calendar year
- Is registered to vote or pays income tax in another state or jurisdiction
When applying for a Florida medical marijuana card, temporary residents must provide copies of two of the following documents:
- A mortgage, a deed, a monthly mortgage statement, a mortgage payment booklet, or a lease agreement
- One proof of residence address from a person with whom the part-time resident lives, as well as a declaration stating that the part-time resident resides there
- A hook-up/work order for water, cable, or electricity that’s less than 60 days old
- A bill for water, cable, or utilities that’s less than 60 days old
- Mail received from a financial institution within the last 60 days
- Mail from a federal, state, county, or city government agency that’s less than 60 days old