Florida's medical marijuana program was established in 2016 after the passage of Amendment 2, which allows patients with qualifying conditions to access medical cannabis. The program is regulated by the OMMU, which oversees the registration of patients and caregivers, as well as licensed medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs).
To participate, patients must obtain a recommendation from a qualified physician and submit an application to receive a medical marijuana registry ID card. Once registered, patients can purchase medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries.
Who Is Eligible for Medical Marijuana in Florida?
Three factors determine medical marijuana eligibility in the state of Florida:
- You must be at least 18 years old (caregivers must be at least 21 years old and can apply on behalf of patients under 18).
- You must be diagnosed with a qualifying condition.
- You must be a Florida resident (either permanently or temporarily).
How Do I Prove Florida Residency?
Full-Time Residents
As a full-time resident of Florida, if you apply online, the state will automatically validate your driver's license or state ID with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. If you submit a paper application, you must include a copy of your Florida driver's license or state ID.
Temporary/Part-Time/Seasonal Residents
According to Florida law, a temporary resident is someone who:
- Spends at least 31 days in Florida per calendar year
- Returns to their native state at least once a year
- Is a registered voter in the United States or pays income taxes in another state
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