How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Florida!

With the enactment of Florida’s Amendment 2, qualified patients with a Medical Marijuana Use Registry ID Card may be treated with a variety of low-THC (CBD) and THC- containing medical cannabis products. They are available in a variety of different forms such as vaporized, capsules, oral liquids, suppositories and, transdermal creams. Smokable flower is also available but patients have to try other routes first and sign an informed consent understanding the risk of smoking it.

As soon as we receive your paperwork and medical records to verify your qualifying condition we will contact you to schedule an appointment. Usually we can see you within the same week and sometimes even that same day.

No, we do not charge a fee for every seventy day “prescription”. The fee is all inclusive and includes everything the patients needs for the 210 day certification period.

The brain and other nerve cells, as well as other organs, have natural receptors for cannabinoids. Our bodies also naturally make certain cannabinoids (endocannabinoids), which help regulate pain-sensation, memory, stress response, social behavior, mood, immune function, sleep, and appetite. Some patients may benefit more from one type of cannabis treatment, while others best respond to a combination of treatments, that vary based on ratio or time of use throughout the day.

Because cannabinoids are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system in the liver, they could change the effects of certain seizure medications, such as valproate and clobazam. Some seizure medications, such as carbamazepine and phenytoin, may also reduce cannabinoid blood levels. If a patient is taking these drugs, the patient may require higher doses of cannabinoids, although this has not typically been observed at the doses commonly used in the research. At Buddocs, we will cross check all medications a patient is taking in a database of known interactions with cannabinoids.

After verifying a patient has a qualifying medical condition to receive medical cannabis (as determined by the State of Florida) and having determined the benefits outweigh the risks, the physician provides certification that a patient is qualified. With this, a patient (and caregiver if needed) can obtain a Medical Marijuana Use Registry ID card and obtain product from a state-approved Medical Marijuana Treatment Center.

Once all legal requirements have been met, the patient will receive a state-issued Medical Marijuana Use Registry ID card, at which time they may get their medical cannabis from a Florida-sanctioned Medical Marijuana Treatment Center. The Centers will have access to the patient’s certification to verify what they are allowed to distribute.

A valid ID card is required to purchase medical cannabis. Once a Medical Marijuana Use Registry ID number is provided to the patient, the ID card application may be submitted. To find out about the status of the card patients should contact the OMMU directly at 800-808-9580. 

Only Florida-licensed physicians who have successfully completed a 2-hour medical education course on medical cannabis and passed the examination may certify qualified patients to receive medical cannabis. This is explained in more detail on the Florida Department of Health’s website.

Buddocs doctors do not perform evaluations to determine if an individual has a qualifying medical condition to receive medical cannabis in the State of Florida. To make an initial appointment with us, a patient must attest to having a valid pre-existing medical condition. A consultation note or professional letter stating the qualifying medical condition documented by the patient’s healthcare, therapist, or mental health provider must be provided to Buddocs prior to the qualified patient being certified to receive medical cannabis. We will evaluate the patient’s medical history to determine if the risks of ordering medical cannabis are reasonable in light of the potential benefit for the individual patient.

Buddocs does not provide after-hours/emergency care or any evaluation or treatment beyond the scope of treatment detailed above. For any additional medical care/advice, the patient’s primary care physician or the treating specialist (e.g., neurologist or oncologist) should be contacted.

No, we are only treating patients that are 18 years or older. To find a doctor that will treat minors go to the OMMU website and see their list of recommending physicians.

Each Medical Marijuana Treatment Center is allowed to sell anywhere in the state, and they may have different products available. A patient can purchase products at any physical location or request home delivery via phone and internet orders. Individual cities are allowed to restrict Centers from opening physical locations within their borders but they are not allowed to prohibit delivery into their cities.

All products must be tested for purity and standardized into known dosages. Additionally, they should be labeled appropriately to make it easy to differentiate between different products. Though not a legal requirement, we recommend only purchasing from Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers that clearly mark their products.

No, insurance companies are not required to cover this therapy or pay/reimburse for medical cannabis evaluation consultations.

No, Florida qualified patients are not protected if they were to transport medical cannabis across state lines or use it in other state.

No, to the contrary, Florida law prohibits the use of medical cannabis at the patient’s workplace. The Americans with Disabilities Act does not require employers to allow medical cannabis use as an accommodation for a patient’s disability.

The State of Florida strictly regulates medical cannabis. To maintain compliance with all applicable state laws, we will occasionally be required to update our policies. If such changes occur, we will make all reasonable efforts to keep our patients and families up-to-date and in compliance with all applicable laws. Information on the applicable Additional useful legal information is also accessible in the following downloads: ● Medical Use of Marijuana (SB 8A) – the new Florida law ● Amendment 2 – ballot initiative language

This is a difficult answer and there are many different ways of answering. If you want to be sure, make sure consult a lawyer. What we can tell you is that having one license does not exclude you from having the other one. No one has lost their license to conceal and carry weapons because they got a Medical Cannabis card. Patients might have an issue when buying a gun from a large retailer but should not be violating any laws by having a card. 

Although we support patients decision and understand that the whole flower gives a stronger effect but we strongly encourage our patients to use other routes for medication. Smoking can increase the risk of lung disease and may increase the risk of cancer. The state requires that patient try other routes first and sign a consent form that says they understand the risks.