Florida Medical Marijuana Access for Seasonal Residents: What Snowbirds Need to Know
Yes. Seasonal residents—often called “snowbirds”—may qualify for Florida’s medical marijuana program, but an out-of-state medical cannabis card is not enough. To purchase or possess medical marijuana legally in Florida, a seasonal resident must meet Florida’s residency definition, receive a physician certification, be entered into the state registry and obtain a Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card.
Florida law defines a seasonal resident as someone who temporarily lives in the state for at least 31 consecutive days each calendar year, maintains a temporary Florida residence, returns to their home state or jurisdiction at least once each year, and is registered to vote or pays income tax elsewhere. The requirements are outlined in section 381.986 of the Florida Statutes.
Residency documents for snowbirds
Seasonal residents who do not have a Florida driver’s license or identification card must submit two documents showing their Florida residential address. Acceptable documents can include:
- A deed, mortgage document or residential rental or lease agreement
- A utility bill that is no more than two months old
- A utility hookup or work order dated within 60 days of registration
- Mail from a financial institution, such as a bank or investment account statement, that is no more than two months old
- Mail from a federal, state, county or municipal government agency, also no more than two months old
- Proof of address from someone with whom the seasonal resident lives, accompanied by that person’s written statement confirming the arrangement
The name and Florida address on the documents must match the information provided in the application. The Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use’s identification-card instructions provide the current documentation requirements and application procedures.
Medical eligibility and physician certification
Residency alone does not qualify someone for medical marijuana. The patient must also have a qualifying medical condition and be evaluated by a Florida “qualified physician”—a licensed physician who has completed the state’s required medical-marijuana training.
Florida’s qualifying conditions include cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple
