Florida Medical Marijuana Card New Patient Guide
If you have been wondering how to get a medical marijuana card in Florida then you have come to the right place. Releaf Medical is here to help you with the process of getting your Florida medical marijuana card. For Florida residents, permanent and seasonal, the process of how to get a medical marijuana card in Florida is pretty straightforward. An overview of how to get a medical marijuana card is located below and if you have any questions or just do not feel like reading all the information located below then call us at 561-778-5323. Additional information about proof of residency and medical marijuana delivery routes is displayed below. The process of getting your Florida medical marijuana card is risk free with Releaf Medical so book an appointment today!
How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card In Florida
1. Medical Records
Do not get intimidated by the process of providing medical records for your Florida medical marijuana card. One of the most common questions we receive at Releaf Medical is how to get a medical marijuana card without medical records. If patients have their medical records on hand, great, bring them in with you at the time of your appointment. If patients do not have access to their medical records or are unable to provide medical records at the time of their appointment the staff at Releaf Medical will still be able to qualify the patient through other methods. Medical records and documentation are very useful in helping our marijuana doctors determine a patient’s qualifying condition for a Florida medical marijuana card, but are not necessarily required. The Releaf Medical staff is able to obtain a patient’s previous medical records with a Medical Release Form that is included in our standard new patient intake forms. This Medical Release Form is HIPPA compliant and allows our staff to contact a patient’s previous physician or medical facility that a patient received treatment from and receive copies of the patient’s medical records. If previous medical records are not obtainable our staff is able to access the patient’s prescription history in E-FORSCE and the marijuana doctors at Releaf Medical evaluate each patient on an individual basis to determine the best qualifying condition for a Florida medical marijuana card. If the Releaf Medical marijuana doctors are not able to provide a potential patient with a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana card there is no fee!
2. Medical Marijuana Doctor Evaluation
An in-person evaluation for new patients is required to be performed by a state certified physician who is qualified to provide recommendations for the use of medical marijuana in the state of Florida. The qualifying patient must be diagnosed by the medical marijuana doctor as having a debilitating or chronic medical condition. When arriving at Releaf Medical marijuana clinic patients will have filled out the standard state required medical marijuana use forms, which are HIPPA compliant, that have previously been sent to the patient via email. The patient can also fill out these forms at the time of their appointment. These HIPPA compliant forms will be made part of a patient’s medical records. The medical marijuana doctor at Releaf Medical will then conduct a comprehensive medical evaluation to determine if the use of medical marijuana will specifically benefit the patient’s debilitating or chronic medical condition. At Releaf Medical we want our patients to be as informed and comfortable as possible when they arrive for their evaluation, please ask the staff and doctor as many questions as you would like. If our marijuana doctors determine a patient does not qualify for the use of medical marijuana in the state of Florida then there is no fee for the evaluation, the process is RISK FREE!
2. Medical Marijuana Doctor Evaluation
An in-person evaluation for new patients is required to be performed by a state certified physician who is qualified to provide recommendations for the use of medical marijuana in the state of Florida. The qualifying patient must be diagnosed by the medical marijuana doctor as having a debilitating or chronic medical condition. When arriving at Releaf Medical marijuana clinic patients will have filled out the standard state required medical marijuana use forms, which are HIPPA compliant, that have previously been sent to the patient via email. The patient can also fill out these forms at the time of their appointment. These HIPPA compliant forms will be made part of a patient’s medical records. The medical marijuana doctor at Releaf Medical will then conduct a comprehensive medical evaluation to determine if the use of medical marijuana will specifically benefit the patient’s debilitating or chronic medical condition. At Releaf Medical we want our patients to be as informed and comfortable as possible when they arrive for their evaluation, please ask the staff and doctor as many questions as you would like. If our marijuana doctors determine a patient does not qualify for the use of medical marijuana in the state of Florida then there is no fee for the evaluation, the process is RISK FREE!
3. Recommendations
Once a new patient completes their in-person evaluation with a Florida state certified marijuana doctor and the physician determines that a debilitating or chronic medical condition fulfills the Florida Department of Health requirements for the use of medical marijuana the doctor will provide the patient with a recommendation for the use of medical marijuana. A written recommendation from a marijuana doctor is very similar to writing a prescription, but can not be labeled a prescription because medical marijuana is not legal on a federal level. A medical marijuana recommendation is a statement from a state certified marijuana doctor that expresses that in their professional opinion the use of medical marijuana would be beneficial to the patient based on their qualifying condition. The length of time recommendations for the use of medical marijuana in the state of Florida are valid for is determined by the evaluating marijuana doctor. Recommendation validation dates range from one month to seven months. At Releaf Medical we typically give the maximum time allowed for recommendations, which is seven months. An individualized treatment program can be established for a patient based on their specific needs and incorporates the marijuana delivery routes that the patient is most comfortable with. Releaf Medical marijuana clinic provides our patients with all the delivery routes offered in the state of Florida, smokeable flower, oral, edibles, topical, sublingual, inhalation, and suppository. If the product is available for purchase at the dispensary then our patients can buy it. More information about the different delivery routes can be found under the “Medical Marijuana Delivery Routes” section displayed below.
4. State Registration
After patients have received a recommendation for the use of medical marijuana the office staff at Releaf Medical will register the patients information with the Florida Health Medical Marijuana Use Registry. The Florida Department of Health will issue the patient website login credentials and a temporary password to the patients email. With the assistance of the Releaf Medical staff the patient will login to the state website, update their password, complete the medical marijuana card application, and pay the state required $75.00 application fee. Once the state registration is completed and payment to the state of Florida has been made a temporary medical marijuana card will be issued by the state of Florida to the patient via email within 1-2 hours for permanent Florida residents and 5-10 business days for seasonal residents. This temporary Florida medical marijuana card will allow patients to purchase medical marijuana from any licensed dispensary located within the state of Florida even before receiving their physical permanent medical marijuana card. The permanent Florida medical marijuana card will be sent to the address displayed on the patient’s ID via regular mail in four to six weeks after receiving the temporary card via email. If patients do not currently live at the address displayed on their ID they can apply for a mail forwarding at USPS. Permanent medical marijuana cards are valid for a period of 12 months. Releaf Medical marijuana clinic will contact patients in regards to their re-evaluation appointments to update their recommendations, which happens every 7 months. The state of Florida will send the patient a renewal email in regards to their medical marijuana cards 45 days prior to the card expiring. A patient must keep their recommendations and medical marijuana card active to prevent any lapse in medication and treatment.
4. State Registration
After patients have received a recommendation for the use of medical marijuana the office staff at Releaf Medical will register the patients information with the Florida Health Medical Marijuana Use Registry. The Florida Department of Health will issue the patient website login credentials and a temporary password to the patients email. With the assistance of the Releaf Medical staff the patient will login to the state website, update their password, complete the medical marijuana card application, and pay the state required $75.00 application fee. Once the state registration is completed and payment to the state of Florida has been made a temporary medical marijuana card will be issued by the state of Florida to the patient via email within 1-2 hours for permanent Florida residents and 5-10 business days for seasonal residents. This temporary Florida medical marijuana card will allow patients to purchase medical marijuana from any licensed dispensary located within the state of Florida even before receiving their physical permanent medical marijuana card. The permanent Florida medical marijuana card will be sent to the address displayed on the patient’s ID via regular mail in four to six weeks after receiving the temporary card via email. If patients do not currently live at the address displayed on their ID they can apply for a mail forwarding at USPS. Permanent medical marijuana cards are valid for a period of 12 months. Releaf Medical marijuana clinic will contact patients in regards to their re-evaluation appointments to update their recommendations, which happens every 7 months. The state of Florida will send the patient a renewal email in regards to their medical marijuana cards 45 days prior to the card expiring. A patient must keep their recommendations and medical marijuana card active to prevent any lapse in medication and treatment.
5. Visit A Florida Dispensary
Now that patients understand how to get a medical marijuana card in Florida they are able to visit any of the many Florida dispensaries. Patients are able to place orders at dispensaries by physically going into the medical marijuana treatment center, also known as a dispensary, or by placing the order online. Patients can either pick up the order at the local dispensary or schedule a delivery, most dispensaries do offer delivery. At Releaf Medical we recommend that all patients go slow and take advantage of the new patient discounts! New patient discounts will be explained at the time of a patient’s appointment and can also be viewed on the dispensary overview pages of our website. Remember, everyone is different, so experiment and find the best dosage amounts and delivery methods that work for you as a patient and your specific condition. The staff at Releaf Medical is available six days a week for our patients, so please do not hesitate to call or stop into our medical marijuana clinic if you have any questions or would like to review your medical marijuana treatment plan. No more grief, just relief!
Get Your Florida Medical Marijuana Card
Find Out How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card
Florida Medical Marijuana Card Details
Medical marijuana treatment patients must have permanent or seasonal residency in the state of Florida and must be diagnosed by a state certified medical marijuana doctor with a qualifying condition to be eligible for a Florida medical marijuana card. Florida medical marijuana treatment patient information must be entered into the Florida Health Medical Marijuana Use Registry and the patient must obtain a Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification Card. Don’t worry, Releaf Medical will take care of everything for our patients!
Residency Requirements
New qualifying medical marijuana patients must provide proof of Florida residency with a valid Florida state drivers license, valid ID card, or a valid passport that displays a Florida address. The state of Florida will not accept expired ID’s or anything outside of these three options to provide Florida residency. The address displayed on the identification provided must be the same as the address provided when the patient registers with the Medical Marijuana Use Registry. The Medical Marijuana Use Registry database connects to the Florida state DMV records. New patients must bring in a form of photo identification at the time of their initial evaluation. If you have any questions about the residency requirements for permanent Florida residents please call Releaf Medical at 561-778-5323 and speak to a member of our knowledgeable staff.
Seasonal Residency Requirements (Snowbirds)
Not a full time Florida resident, no problem, Releaf Medical can still show you how to get a medical marijuana card. Temporary or seasonal residents of the state of Florida can apply for their Florida medical marijuana card through “seasonal residency.” A Florida ”seasonal resident” is defined as any person who temporarily resides in the state of Florida for a period of at least 31 consecutive days in each calendar year, maintains a temporary residence in the state of Florida, returns to the state or jurisdiction of their residence at least one time during each calendar year, and is registered to vote or pays income tax in another state or jurisdiction. Seasonal Florida residents must bring a state issued driver’s license, ID card, or passport and submit a copy of two of the following documents that are displayed below that show proof of their residential address in the state of Florida.
- A monthly mortgage statement, deed to a residential property, or residential rental or lease agreement
- A work order or utility hook up dated within 60 days prior to registration in the Medical Marijuana Use Registry
- A utility bill, not more than 60 days old
- Mail from a financial institution, including savings, checking, or investment account statements not more than 60 days old
- Mail from a government agency, municipal, county, state, or federal not more than 60 days old
- Any other form of documentation that provides proof of residential address as determined by Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry department rule
If you have any questions about how to get a medical marijuana card or about the seasonal residency requirements for the state of Florida please call Releaf Medical at 561-778-5323 and speak to a member of our knowledgeable staff.
Get Your Florida Medical Marijuana Card
Find Out How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card
Medical Marijuana Delivery Routes
Smokable Flower
When patients visit a medical marijuana dispensary in Florida they will see an option displayed as “Smokable Flower” or just “Flower.” The term flower refers to the bud of the cannabis plant, which contains all the therapeutic compounds. Flower is your traditional cannabis nug and is commonly consumed in pipes, bowls, pre-rolls, or hand rolled joints. Medical marijuana treatment patients can purchase up to 2.5 ounces every 35 days and be in possession of 4 ounces at a time as long as the flower is in a marked container from a licensed medical marijuana treatment center. Smokable flower has an immediate onset with effects being felt within 1-5 minutes after consumption and the duration of the effects typically will last 1-4 hours. Smokeable flower is sold at dispensaries in pre-rolls, 3.5 gram containers, 7 gram containers, and 14 gram containers. Different dispensaries offer different products, amounts, specials, and pricing. Releaf Medical advises our new patients to shop around, take advantage of those new patient discounts and determine what products best work for their specific condition and lifestyle.
Oral
The oral medical marijuana delivery route is very popular and offers patients a plethora of products that do not require smoking or inhaling but can be difficult to calculate dosage amounts due to fluctuation in metabolism and absorption rates. The onset time frame is highly variable and ranges from 30 minutes to over 2 hours. The delay in onset may cause some patients to consume more products too quickly. Over medicating orally can result in patients experiencing high levels of anxiety, paranoia, and nausea. Remember, GO SLOW, patients can always consume more, but can’t take less. The duration of the effects from oral medical marijuana products can last from 6 to 8 hours, but are highly variable due to fluctuation in metabolism and absorption rates. Oral products include Oral Syringes, Capsules, Powders, Distillates Oils, Oral Spray, RSO Syringes, and RSO Capsules.
Edibles
Cannabis edibles are defined as foods that are infused with cannabis extract, a much desired smoke free option. Cannabis edibles are a unique consumption method because there is a considerable delay in the onset effects, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over 3 hours. The delay is caused by the digestion of the edible product, which creates another unique feature, the first pass effect. When THC delta-9 is digested through the liver, it is converted into a more potent THC 11-hydroxy. THC 11-hydroxy is five times as strong as delta-9, meaning a 10mg dose could potentially feel like a 50mg dose. With all medical marijuana products, but especially cannabis edibles, it is best for patients to start low and go slow with dosing! The duration of effects from cannabis edibles can be felt from 6-8 hours after the initial onset. The state of Florida regulations limit the maximum dosage of edibles to 10mg per each serving size, but are sold in 100mg containers. Edible cannabis products differ by each dispensary but are typically sold as cookies, gummies, brownies, chocolate products, drinks, etc. Dispensaries offer different variations of cannabis edibles with an example being nanotechnology products, which offers a faster absorption rate.
Topical
Topical medical marijuana products include any cannabis product that is applied to the skin. Topical products are absorbed locally into the endocannabinoid receptors present in the skin and do not break the blood brain barrier, simply meaning there is no psychoactive effect with topical products. Topicals are great for relieving body pain and muscle spasms in localized areas and they do not get you “high” making them an excellent option for pain relief when working or on the go. The onset time frame for topical products range from 20 to 60 minutes with the duration lasting up to 4 hours. Topical products are sold in gel, lotions, cream formats, and transdermal patches, gels and creams. Transdermal topical products have a duration of up to 72 hours. It is important to inform your marijuana doctor before trying any topical products if you have any previous known skin conditions or allergies.
Sublingual
Sublingual delivery is the process of administering cannabis medicine under the tongue or to the other mucous membranes in the mouth. The benefits of a sublingual delivery route include rapid onset, usually within 15 minutes, moderation duration, and easy titration. Sublinguals are typically held in the mouth under the tongue for a period of 60 seconds. Sublingual products are usually sold in tincture format, an oral solution, or a dissolvable compound. Tincture products are typically produced with alcohol or glycerin, which add to the sublingual absorption. The duration of sublingual effects typically last from 2 to 6 hours. Sublinguals allow for discreet and easy consumption.
Inhalation
Inhalation is probably the most common marijuana delivery method for cannabis consumers. Most inhalation products avoid the health concerns of smoking and this delivery route delivers terpenes and cannabinoids to the bloodstream very quickly. The onset time frame is almost immediate with patients feeling the effects within 1-3 minutes after consumption and the duration can last from 1-4 hours. There are a subset of products that fall under the inhalation delivery route, Vape Products, Concentrates, and Inhalers.
Vape Products
Vaporizing medical cannabis allows for better control of the effects by targeting temperature. This delivery method also conserves medicine and eliminates negative side effects associated with smoking as the temperature used to consume the products does not reach combustion. The cannabis oil is heated to a vapor via a stand-alone device or portable battery, and inhaled. A generic vape pen is compatible with the products sold at most Florida dispensaries, but the dispensaries also sell products only compatible with a device sold at that specific dispensary. Vape products can be found in dispensaries sold in Pods, .5 gram Carts, 1 gram Carts, and Cups.
Concentrates
Concentrates are made using cannabis extract and manipulated to take on a variety of forms using various extraction methods. Marijuana concentrates are named appropriately as they are a very concentrated form of cannabinoids. Simply put these are the strongest products on the market, GO SLOW! The most common ways to consume concentrated products is dabbing, adding the concentrate to flower, or vaporizing the product. Concentrate products include Rosin, Crumble, Shatter, Distillate, RSO, THCA, Kief, and Wax.
Inhalers
Medical marijuana inhalers are a newer form of cannabis consumption. These products were designed for discretionary medicating. The inhalers provide a very accurate dosage amount, typically a microdose, of cannabinoids with each use with no smoking or vaping required. Medical marijuana inhalers are an ideal solution for fast and controlled delivery of medical cannabis and offer a super discreet way to medicate. Medical marijuana inhalers work the same way as an asthma inhaler.
Suppository
The suppository delivery route is the least understood and in turn is not a commonly used marijuana delivery route, but it does have medicinal benefits to certain patients that are in desperate need of relief. Suppositories can be very useful for patients that are not able to swallow or use cannabis products in it’s other delivery methods. This medical marijuana delivery method may be beneficial for patients with cancers of the pelvic floor, GI conditions, pelvic disorders, and menstrual pain. Marijuana suppositories are administered vaginally or rectally, have an onset time of 30 minutes or less and a duration of 1-8 hours. If you are interested in the suppository delivery route don’t worry, the staff at Releaf Medical passes joints, not judgement, we are here to help!
