How to Get a Florida Medical Marijuana Card: Eligibility, Application and Legal Limits

Florida’s medical marijuana program is available to qualifying permanent and seasonal residents, but access requires more than a diagnosis. A patient must be evaluated by a state-qualified physician, entered into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry, approved for a registry identification card and obtain cannabis from a licensed medical marijuana treatment center.

The program was established after Florida voters approved Amendment 2 in 2016. Recreational marijuana remains illegal under Florida law. Amendment 3, which would have authorized adult personal use, received 55.9% of the vote on November 5, 2024, but failed because constitutional amendments require at least 60% approval. The medical program therefore remains the state’s legal pathway for obtaining cannabis.

Who may qualify?

Under Florida Statutes section 381.986, a patient must be diagnosed with at least one qualifying medical condition and be determined by a qualified physician to be an appropriate candidate for medical marijuana.

Qualifying conditions include:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV or AIDS
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• A medical condition comparable to one of the listed conditions
• A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the certifying physician
• Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by, or originating from, a qualifying medical condition

Meeting one of these categories does not guarantee approval. The physician must review the patient’s medical history, conduct the required examination and determine that the potential benefits of medical marijuana are likely to outweigh the health risks.

Florida medical marijuana card application process

1. Confirm Florida residency

Patients may qualify as permanent or seasonal Florida residents. An adult permanent resident generally proves residency with a valid Florida driver license or identification card.

A seasonal resident who does not have a Florida driver license or identification card must generally submit two documents showing a Florida residential address. Acceptable documents may include a lease, deed, mortgage statement, utility bill, recent financial statement or recent government correspondence. Florida defines a seasonal resident as someone who temporarily lives in the state for at least 31 consecutive days each calendar year and meets additional residency requirements.

The Office of Medical Marijuana Use identification-card instructions provide the current documentation requirements, including separate rules for minors.

2. Visit a qualified physician

The patient must be examined by a Florida physician or osteopathic physician who is authorized to order medical marijuana. The physician must have an active, unrestricted license, complete the required state training and be registered with the Medical Marijuana Use Registry.

For an initial certification, the physician must conduct an in-person physical examination and a full assessment of the patient’s medical history. After an in-person examination has occurred, follow-up examinations for certification renewals may be conducted through telehealth when permitted by law.

The physician, rather than the state, decides whether medical marijuana is medically appropriate. The physician enters the patient’s certification and authorized forms, routes of administration and dosage information into the registry.

Patients can use the OMMU’s patient guidance and qualified-physician resources to review the process and locate an authorized physician.

3. Receive registry login information

After the physician adds the patient to the Medical Marijuana Use Registry, the patient receives login credentials by email. The patient then uses the registry to complete the identification-card application.

4. Apply for the registry identification card

Patients may apply online or by mail. The state application fee is $75. Online applicants may also be charged a $2.75 convenience fee. The application generally requires a photograph and proof of Florida residency unless the registry can verify the information through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Online applications are typically processed faster than paper applications. The OMMU states that online applications take an average of 10 business days for approval, although processing times can vary.

A registry identification card is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Renewal applications may be submitted during the 45-day period before the card expires.

5. Purchase from a licensed dispensary

Once the card application is approved, the patient may fill the physician’s order at a licensed medical marijuana treatment center, commonly called an MMTC. Florida law allows medical marijuana to be purchased only from state-approved MMTCs, which may also offer delivery.

The OMMU maintains a current directory of licensed medical marijuana treatment centers. Patients should verify that a dispensary is listed by the state before purchasing products.

How long does physician authorization last?

The identification card and the physician’s certification are separate requirements. The card must be renewed annually, while the physician must reevaluate an existing patient at least once every 30 weeks before issuing a new certification.

A physician certification specifies the amount, form and route of administration authorized for the patient. Patients should follow those directions and should not assume that an active identification card permits unlimited purchases or possession.

Possession and supply limits

Florida law generally limits a patient to the amount authorized by the physician and prohibits possession of more than a 70-day supply at one time. A 35-day supply of marijuana in a smokable form generally may not exceed 2.5 ounces unless the Department of Health approves an exception. Physicians may also be subject to limits on the number of supply periods they certify.

All cannabis purchased from an MMTC must remain in its original packaging. Patients should keep their identification card available when possessing medical marijuana and should follow the instructions recorded in the registry.

Where medical marijuana may not be used

Florida law generally prohibits medical marijuana use in public places, on public transportation, at a place of employment unless the employer permits it, on school grounds and in a vehicle, aircraft or motorboat. Smoking marijuana is also prohibited in an enclosed indoor workplace.

The law does not require an employer to permit medical marijuana use, accommodate it in the workplace or tolerate an employee working while impaired. Employers may continue to enforce drug-free workplace policies.

Important federal and travel restrictions

Although Florida permits medical marijuana under state law, marijuana remains illegal under federal law. A Florida medical marijuana card does not authorize possession or use on federal property, and patients should not transport cannabis across state lines. Other states may not recognize Florida’s card, even if they have their own medical marijuana programs.

Patients should also avoid driving or operating machinery while impaired. Florida’s medical marijuana law does not shield a person from consequences related to impairment or intoxication.

What patients should do before applying

• Gather current proof of Florida residency.
• Collect relevant medical records, diagnoses and medication information for the physician visit.
• Confirm that the physician is authorized to participate in Florida’s medical marijuana program.
• Use the email address provided to the physician to receive registry login credentials.
• Budget for the $75 state card fee as well as the physician’s evaluation fee, which is separate and may vary.
• Review the physician’s directions and the state’s possession, packaging and location restrictions.

Florida’s medical marijuana system is regulated by the Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use. Because application procedures, forms and state rules can change, prospective patients should check the OMMU’s official website and consult a qualified health care professional for the most current information. This article is general information, not medical or legal advice.