Affectionately referred to as snowbirds, seasonal Florida residents may legally qualify to use medical marijuana while visiting the Sunshine State.
Important definitions
According to Florida Senate Bill 8A, which outlines guidelines for the state’s medical marijuana program, a qualified patient means:
A resident of this state [Florida] who has been added to the medical marijuana use registry by a qualified physician to receive marijuana or a marijuana delivery device for a medical use and who has a qualified patient identification card.
However, Bill 8A expressly states that individuals who meet the definition of seasonal residents may qualify, as well:
[T]he term “seasonal resident” means any person who temporarily resides in this state [Florida] for a period of at least 31 consecutive days in each calendar year, maintains a temporary residence in this state, returns to the state or jurisdiction of his or her residence at least one time during each calendar year, and is registered to vote or pays income tax in another state or jurisdiction.
Proving seasonal residency
While Florida residents are required to provide a copy of their driver’s license or other state-approved form of identification, seasonal residents may submit a copy of two of the following that show proof of residential address:
- A deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet, or residential rental or lease agreement
- One proof of residential address from the seasonal resident’s parent, step-parent, legal guardian or other person with whom the seasonal resident resides and a statement from the person with whom the seasonal resident resides stating that the seasonal resident does reside with him or her
- A utility hookup or work order dated within 60 days before registration in the medical use registry
- A utility bill, not more than 2 months old
- Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings, or investment account statements, not more than 2 months old
- Mail from a federal, state, county, or municipal government agency, not more than 2 months old
- Any other documentation that provides proof of residential address as determined by department rule
Qualifying conditions
Florida snowbirds suffering from any of the following conditions may qualify for medical marijuana treatment:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Medical conditions of the same kind or class as, or comparable to, those enumerated above
- A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the physician certification
- Chronic nonmalignant pain
