Any resident of Florida with a qualifying medical condition can obtain medicinal cannabis products since the state legalized the possession and use of medical marijuana in 2019. Medical marijuana can offer symptom control, improve patients' quality of life, and ameliorate the negative effects of certain chronic conditions.
Potential medical marijuana patients and their qualified caregivers must receive certification from a medical marijuana doctor and register with the state of Florida in order to legally purchase medical cannabis. Fortunately, the process is simple.
Medical marijuana is a viable treatment option for those seeking to manage an intractable condition that has not responded to traditional treatment. If you believe you could benefit from medicinal cannabis treatment, reach out to your doctor or ask for a referral to another physician to discuss whether it’s right for you.
Once you know how to navigate the application process, obtaining a card is relatively easy. There are many licensed dispensaries throughout Clearwater and other major cities in Florida, so you won’t have to worry about traveling long distances to pick up medical marijuana.
Application and Approval
The Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) oversees the application and approval process for new patients.
Register Online
First, patients must undergo a medical marijuana card evaluation by a physician registered to prescribe cannabis. Patients with a qualifying medical condition (and their caregivers if applicable) are then entered into the OMMU registry by their doctors.
Login credentials for the registry will be sent to the email you give your doctor. The OMMU will send two separate emails--one with your username and another containing a temporary password.
Booking
Once you receive your login credentials and set up your account, you can complete your application on the OMMU site. The application will ask you to provide demographic data, upload a photo, confirm your residency, and provide supporting documentation.
If you'd prefer to apply by mail, forms and instructions can be downloaded on the OMMU website. However, a qualified physician will still need to enroll you in the registry so you can mail your documentation.
You must also pay the $75.00 application fee. Once approved, you will receive your card by mail. It can be used to purchase medical marijuana at any Florida dispensary or medical marijuana treatment center.
In-Person Exam
Online applications are usually processed within 10 business days. Applications submitted by mail will require up to five additional business days.
You or your registered caregiver must be present at your chosen dispensary to obtain medical marijuana. Your card allows for the legal purchase and possession of marijuana by you and your caregiver.
TESTIMONIALS
What Our Clients Are Saying About Our Cannabis Doctors
The Sanctuary Wellness Institute Reviewed by Beth D. - Medical Marijuana Card Evaluation review
January 5 2020
"...I will definitely recommend The Sanctuary and Dr. Ray to all my friends"
"Dr. Ray was lovely, kind and informative. The woman at the front desk was also very kind and helpful. I had a great experience here and I will definitely recommend the sanctuary and Dr. Ray to all my friends.* "
Rating: 5
Medical Marijuana Approval Process in Clearwater
How to get your Florida medical cannabis card
1. Obtain Your Medical Records from a Primary Care Physician.
First, you will need to obtain medical documentation from your primary care physician that describes your condition.
2. Schedule a Visit with a Medical Marijuana Doctor.
Next, you will schedule an in-person appointment with a medical marijuana doctor in Florida. The medical marijuana doctor must be in Florida’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry. If you have a qualifying condition, your certified doctor will enter your information into the Florida Department of Medical Marijuana Use Registry, thus offering a medical marijuana recommendation. You will then receive a patient ID number.
3. Complete the Application.
Once your doctor enters you into the state registry, you will receive an email with instructions for accessing the patient portal, where you can fill out a card application and pay the $75 fee.
Call (813) 710-4347 with any questions and to schedule your evaluation
Qualifying Conditions
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Cancer
HIV/AIDS
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Parkinson’s Disease
Crohn’s Disease
Conditions of the same class or comparable to the others listed, including neurological disorders
Conditions of the same class or comparable to the others listed, including neurological disorders
Terminal conditions diagnosed by a physician who isn't the one who recommended medical marijuana treatment
Chronic pain or other nonmalignant pain that persists from a qualifying medical condition
How Do I Prove Florida Residency?
Only Florida residents can obtain a medical marijuana card. If you apply online, the system will automatically verify your residency as long as you’re registered with the FLHSMV.
Permanent Florida residents who apply by mail must submit a copy of their Florida license or ID card. Temporary residents must submit copies of at least two of the following documents:
A house deed or a lease agreement
A utility bill that’s less than two months old
Mail from a financial institution, such as checking, savings, or investment account statements that are less than two months old
Mail from a federal, state, county, or municipal government agency that’s less than two months old
In order to qualify for treatment, temporary residents must reside in Florida for at least 31 consecutive days over the course of each calendar year, maintain a temporary residence in Florida, visit that residence at least once per year, and be registered to vote or pay income tax in another state.
The cultivation and packaging of medical cannabis purchased at Florida state dispensaries is subject to strict oversight. You needn’t concern yourself about your medical marijuana's quality unless you purchase it from a non-governmental distributor.
Medical marijuana is not FDA-approved because it’s still federally prohibited. However, cannabis is well-studied and widely regarded as an effective medical treatment.
Some of the side effects that can accompany medical marijuana use include:
Altered concentration and memory
Dizziness
Delayed reaction time
Adverse interactions with prescription medication
Hallucinations or mental illness
Withdrawal symptoms
Can I apply for a Florida medical marijuana card from out of state?
According to Florida law, only temporary and permanent Florida residents can apply for a medical marijuana card. A state-licensed physician must evaluate you before entering your name into the registry so you can begin your application.
Can I use my Florida medical marijuana card in other states?
Medical marijuana laws vary from state to state, so you should conduct thorough research before traveling outside of Florida. Today, you can obtain medical marijuana in Arkansas, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah, and Washington D.C. with a Florida medical marijuana card.
Each state has its own medical marijuana laws for out-of-state users, so don't forget to do your research. Finally, note that crossing state lines with medical marijuana is illegal due to the federal government’s prohibition of it.
How often do I have to renew my medical marijuana card?
You must renew your medical marijuana card annually to maintain your eligibility. The expiration date is printed on the front of it so you don’t forget to do so. You can renew your card anytime within 45 days of its expiration date.
You can execute your renewal through the OMMU online registry. Or, you can also renew your cannabis card through the mail by downloading the requisite forms from the OMMU site. Renewals will cost you $75.00.
Conclusion
Medicinal cannabis products are available to Floridians who have qualifying medical conditions. Registration involves evaluation by a licensed physician and the submission of an application through the OMMU.
Qualified patients can obtain medical marijuana from any of the various dispensaries located in Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Largo, Lakeland, Miami, Orlando, New Port Richey, or Palm Harbor. Dispensaries are overseen by the state, so you can be rest assured that the products you purchase are safe for consumption.
Talk to your Clearwater medical marijuana doctor today about whether medical marijuana is right for you!
Medical Marijuana Card Clearwater Florida | The Sanctuary
Have questions or prefer to schedule on the phone. Call or Text us at (813) 710-4347.
(813) 710-4347