Florida is a premier destination for retirees, outdoor enthusiasts, and Disney aficionados. Along with its many allures come tourists, snowbirds, and travelers alike. Though the state can certainly be welcoming to non-residents, exactly how friendly is Florida when it comes to visiting a medical marijuana dispensary? Can anyone enter a Florida dispensary, even without a medical marijuana card?
The short answer is no, not yet! However, if you’re currently a medical marijuana (MMJ) patient or planning to become one, keep reading to learn more about Florida’s most important marijuana laws and how they could affect you.
Who Can Enter a Florida Dispensary?
Since Florida doesn’t yet have a recreational marijuana program, legalities are currently in place to uphold the exclusivity of MMJ patients’ rights when it comes to purchasing cannabis products. Florida Statute states:
When dispensing marijuana or a marijuana delivery device, a medical marijuana treatment center […] must verify that the qualified patient and the caregiver, if applicable, each have an active registration in the medical marijuana use registry and an active and valid medical marijuana use registry identification card.
In other words, only state-registered medical marijuana patients may shop in Florida dispensaries. Patients are typically asked to present their medical cannabis card prior to entering a dispensary. Once they’ve been documented, they’re free to enter the inner area of the dispensary and browse around for products.
Non-patients on the other hand, are typically only allowed to wait in the lobby/sitting area upon entering a dispensary — particularly if they came there with card-holding friends or family. However, browsing through products isn’t allowed.
While each dispensary policy varies, most medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs) restrict entry access to Florida cardholders only.
Who Can Qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Florida?
Florida has one of the most advanced medical marijuana programs in the nation. Their licensing-based medical program has granted natural relief to thousands of Florida residents. First introduced via the 2014 Compassionate Use Act, Florida’s MMJ program has since blossomed into a massive entity that currently boasts over 750K active medical marijuana cardholders (as of September 16th, 2022).
Conditions that qualify someone for a Florida medical card include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Lou Gehrig’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
This list is just the start — potentially qualifying conditions include:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Anemia
- Anxiety
- Anorexia
- Autism (esp. severe)
- Cerebral palsy
- Chemotherapy side effects
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Herniated disc
To view the full list of conditions that could qualify someone for a Florida medical marijuana card, visit: Cannamd.com/conditions.