Now patients who qualify and who wish to benefit from medical treatments with the use of medical marijuana will have to request a real identification card that allows them.
According to officials from the Department of Health, they have begun to process the first applications of patients residing in the state to obtain a kind of license that allows them access to the purchase of products derived from marijuana for medicinal purposes.
According to Brian Powers, director of a marijuana dispensary, the new system for obtaining this type of drug is an excellent idea since it allows to identify patients in a safer and faster way.
Patients will be able to apply for the identification card after having received consultations from one of the more than 300 doctors in the state of Florida who are authorized to prescribe the use of cannabis. For more information on the processes to obtain such identification, you can visit – http://www.floridahealth.gov
Getting marijuana in Florida has come a long way since it was the exclusive domain of fine gentlemen strolling Ocean Drive mumbling “weed coke” to unwitting tourists. Now, there are ads for weed on top of taxi cabs. Since Florida voters passed Amendment 2, legalizing medicinal marijuana in 2016, ads for marijuana doctors are popping up in local weeklies, on cabs, and even on billboards. But don’t let them fool you: We are a long way from becoming Colorado, and like pretty much everything in Florida there are still befuddling questions about how the whole thing works.
For instance: Who are these doctors on the taxis, and how can I get them to write me a prescription? Where can I buy it? Do they have Taco Bells nearby? And, most importantly especially right now do they deliver?
WHAT IS MEDICAL MARIJUANA?
Medical marijuana or medical cannabis refers to the use of the chemicals that the marijuana plant contains to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions such as a headache, a disease like cancer, or a long-term condition like glaucoma.
Ready to get your ID card to buy marijuana in Florida? Our bilingual staff is here to help you. To set up a consultation in St. Petersburg, call 888-910-4861. Our doctors determine if you qualify for marijuana and guide you through each step of the process with compassion and care. Our practice has + staff fluent in Spanish and English, and we make sure you have all the information you need.
TYPES OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA
There are two different types of medical marijuana in Florida, Low-THC Cannabis and Medical Cannabis. Low-THC Cannabis does not have the euphoric properties that medical cannabis has and it can be used to treat symptoms of seizures or severe muscle spasms. On the other hand, Medical Cannabis can cause a “high” and it is used to treat patients with terminal conditions.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN FLORIDA?
A patient only qualifies to get medical marijuana or medical cannabis when suffering a medical condition that chronically produces symptoms of seizures or severe and persistent muscle spasms. Patients diagnosed with a terminal condition can also qualify for the treatment if the licensed physician has treated the patient for at least three months.
HOW TO GET A MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD IN FLORIDA?
- Collect all the medical documentation regarding your condition and bring your Florida ID to the doctor’s appointment.
- Visit a physician with a license to recommend cannabis/medical marijuana. Our doctors at Vidamax are already licensed for it.
- The doctor will perform a general checkup, will discuss the specifics of your condition, and if you qualify for medical marijuana, will make a diagnose and suggest treatment using medical cannabis.
- The physician treats the patient for 3 months and obtains voluntary, written, informed consent.
Your case will be entered in the state registry and our staff will make sure you will have all the required paperwork to legally acquire and carry medical cannabis. - The physician then enters the order into the Compassionate User Registry.
We will direct you to the authorized medical dispensaries in Florida to acquire your medical marijuana prescription.
The AMRX difference
Pain, disease, and the effects of aging can prevent you from enjoying life to the fullest. At Access Marijuana RX, we focus on helping our patients improve their sense of well-being and overall quality of life with the use of medical cannabis. As a Florida Board of Health Certified Physician, Lora L. Brown, MD may recommend cannabis for the treatment of certain diseases, symptoms, and medical conditions.
When you choose Access Marijuana RX, you can be sure that you are receiving the highest quality of care in the industry. We pride ourselves on being the premium destination for patients throughout Florida seeking experienced, compassionate, and patient-centered care in a welcoming and professional environment.
By selecting AMRX as your care provider, you can expect:
Experience: With 17 years of experience in interventional pain therapy, Dr. Brown continues to be a pioneer at the forefront of her field. Applying the therapeutic benefits of medicinal cannabis, she develops individualized therapy treatments that target specific problem areas, as well as improving the patient’s overall quality of life.
Knowledge: Dr. Brown has served on the Florida Drug Policy Advisory Council for two governors. Her passion for providing a natural and holistic alternative to traditional opioid medications has made her a prominent and respected voice in the medical community.
Value: Your initial medical evaluation costs $ 225 and ongoing follow-up appointments $ 150. However, your initial visit is free if you do not receive a referral for medical marijuana.
Ongoing Care: Once we have enrolled you in the Compassionate Use Registry, you will be able to obtain medical marijuana at your chosen dispensary. In compliance with state law, we will help you maintain quality ongoing care.
How to get your marijuana card
Obtaining a medical marijuana card in Florida is a streamlined process, but it can still be confusing. That’s why we created an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide on how to get your medical marijuana card in Florida, completely updated to meet the latest requirements.
Step 1: Eligibility and How to Apply for Your Marijuana Card
Step 2: How to buy marijuana
Step 3: How to renew your marijuana card
Step 1: Call our doctors to arrange your new patient evaluation
The first step in finding out if you are eligible for a Florida marijuana card is to be evaluated by a qualified physician. Doctors have sufficient discretion to decide whether your symptoms, pain or health condition are within those accepted by law. Don’t worry, our staff will make sure you know what you need to bring for your first consultation, such as:
Proof of Florida residency and photo ID.
You cannot visit just any doctor for this appointment. They must be registered with the state’s cannabis program. All of our physicians have completed state-required training and certification. You do not need a referral from your primary care physician, or anyone else. Just give us a call!
If you qualify:
You will receive our registration number for patient identification if our physicians determine that you are eligible. You will use this identification number to complete an online application on the state’s website. With this application, you register for a medical marijuana card. At the same time, our doctors will add you to the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry. This listing will include your patient identification number, your name, your treatment recommendation, and other identifying information.
“What’s Next?”
After completing your application online with the registration number for patient identification that we provided, all that is left to do is wait for the state to authorize and activate your application. This can take 2 to 3 weeks. You will receive an email from the state when your membership is activated. Once you receive this email, you can buy marijuana in Florida! Don’t wait for the physical card that you will receive in the mail, which could take another 2-3 months. Print the email or download it to your phone. Bring your regular photo ID to the dispensary of your choice and the staff there will be able to search for your active membership in the state database. You will be able to buy the dispensary products during this visit, without the need to have a physical identification card for physical marijuana!
“Can I grow marijuana after receiving my card?”
No, Florida law currently does not allow residents to grow their own marijuana plants. Only authorized dispensing centers can.
Maintain communication with our doctors
At AMRX, our physicians stay in touch with our patients and are committed to ongoing communication. Our attention does not stop after receiving your card; in fact, we want to hear from you after you’ve had a chance to use your medication. Our doctors will want to know how you are responding to the dose and type of marijuana you purchased. That way, we can work with you to adjust any aspect of your medication that is not working as well as possible.
“How much will it cost?”
For the initial certification period, costs include:
The state application fee of $ 77.75
An initial in-person visit with our physicians for $ 225
The cost of the specific marijuana product you will purchase at the dispensary
The $ 225 consultation fee does not apply if our doctors determine that you do not qualify for marijuana in Florida.
As you search for physicians, we hope you will keep the following in mind: At AMRX, our physicians and all of our staff are personally committed to real guidance and care. We will not let you drive while you try to figure out how to complete your application, we will help you every step of the way. We encourage and request that our patients follow up with us after they have obtained their medication because we want to make sure it is working as well as possible. And we’ll make sure that you find a dispensing organization that you like and that meets your needs. Our doctors have in-depth knowledge of the types of marijuana products available and what devices and strains may be the best experience for you. In short, we are here for our patients when they need us.
Step 2: How to buy marijuana from a dispensary
Florida dispensaries are known as Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs). Under Florida law, MMTCs can grow, grow, manufacture, and sell their marijuana and marijuana products. Therefore, each dispensary has its brand and range of products. You will see different elements depending on the MMTC you choose.
At AMRX, our doctors want you to have the best possible experience of this herbal therapy. That is why we will help you choose an MMTC. We are familiar with the types of products that each dispensary provides in our area. Trust us to inform you which center is likely to have the right medication for your condition.
Some things to look forward to …
The range of drugs will not only vary according to the MMTC but also see some of the prices. You can choose any product or combination you want, as long as they do not violate any exceptions in your treatment recommendation. You can buy any amount you want as long as that amount does not exceed your allotment of 70 days of medication that you are allowed at one time.
You can choose any state-licensed MMTC. Many of these centers offer free delivery of medications to your door if that is something that interests you.
“Can I take my medicine to another state?”
No, Florida marijuana patients can use and possess their medications only in our state. You can face criminal charges for crossing state lines with your drug, even if the other state has its own medical or recreational marijuana laws.
Step 3: How to renew your medical marijuana card
Your registration with a medical marijuana card is not indefinite. The certification period lasts 210 days, so you must return to our office for a face-to-face evaluation every 210 days to keep your marijuana membership active.
You will also see that your marijuana card is valid for 12 months and has an expiration date. Check the date you receive your card and make a calendar reminder to schedule an appointment with us 30 to 60 days before your card expires. That way, you won’t experience a lapse without the medication. You will need to pay the $ 75 state registration fee each time you renew, plus our fees. This will ensure that you continue to get the benefits of your medication without interruption.
