Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana became legal in Florida in 2016 after voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that expanded the list of qualified medical conditions for medical marijuana treatment. With the continued expansion of the program, Centers for Health Promotion joins the front lines in helping Floridians deal with debilitating medical conditions for which medical marijuana treatment is proven to be effective against.
At Centers for Health Promotion, you will find a staff that is caring, friendly, and knowledgable in the field of medical marijuana recommendations. We know you need the medical benefits and pain management relief of cannabis and we’re here to help.
Medical Marijuana in Florida – In Depth
Evaluation Process
First things first: You have to be a Florida resident. If you are a Florida resident, you can call our offices or fill out our online contact form to schedule an in-office certification exam. Dr. Reynolds will evaluation your condition to determine wither you are qualified to receive medical marijuana. Dr. Reynolds will take into account medical records and may diagnose a qualifying condition.
Application Process
If Dr. Reynolds determines you should qualify for medical marijuana, you will be placed into the state’s medical marijuana registry where you can then apply for the state identification card. Potential patients, or their caregivers, must submit an application to the state’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use, either mailed-in or online, with a copy of a state ID or proof of residency and the required $75 fee. An approved passport photo is required with the application if it’s being mailed to the office. Identification cards expire one year after the approved date. Patients or caregivers can renew the card by submitting an application 45 days before the expiration date.
Purchase Medication
Once you’ve been approved and receive your medical marijuana card, you will be able to purchase medical marijuana at dispensaries that are certified and licensed in Florida. And naturally, you will be able to use your newly-purchased medical marijuana and get the peace and relief you’ve been looking for.
If you’re ready to join millions of Americans across the country who are enjoying a pain-free life for the first time through medical marijuana, we encourage you to call our offices or fill out our online form today to schedule your appointment.
Eligible conditions include (but are not limited to):
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV
- 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 above
- A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the physician certification
- Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition or that originates from a qualifying medical condition and persists beyond the usual course of that qualifying medical condition
Find out more: Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use
Frequently Asked Questions
1. See a qualified physician for a certification exam.
Dr. Reynolds will do an initial exam, take into account medical records and may diagnose a qualifying condition.
2. Register and obtain a medical marijuana use registry identification card.
Dr. Reynolds places potential patients on the state’s medical marijuana use registry, so they can apply for the state identification card. Potential patients, or their caregivers, must submit an application to the state’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use, either mailed-in or online, with a copy of a state ID or proof of residency and the required $75 fee. An approved passport photo is required with the application if it’s being mailed to the office. Identification cards expire one year after the approved date. Patients or caregivers can renew the card by submitting an application 45 days before the expiration date.
3. Purchase medication at a state-licensed medical marijuana dispensary.
It usually takes about two to four weeks. According to a recent release from the state’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use, paper applications were processed in about 23 days, and online applications took about 17 days. However, patients no longer have to wait for a physical card to come in the mail. They can temporarily use an e-mail approval from the state.
Eligible conditions include (but are not limited to):
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV
- 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 above
- A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the physician certification
- Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition or that originates from a qualifying medical condition and persists beyond the usual course of that qualifying medical condition
Insurance does not cover costs, because medical marijuana is still illegal under federal law.
No, prescribing medical marijuana is illegal under federal law. Doctors and other healthcare providers can only recommend or issue written certifications.
Dr. Reynolds can make house calls for patients or potential patients who are unable to move around easily, such as severely sick or hospice patients. Delivery services also are an option.
Not necessarily. When physicians write orders for patients, they take into account a patient’s needs and preferences. Patients with certain conditions, including the severe nausea or lack of appetite experienced by some cancer patients, may have orders that suggest a drug combination that gives a euphoric high, but other strains don’t.
State law bans smokable marijuana as of 2018, but an Orlando attorney is challenging that ban.
Yes. Many dispensaries offer different strains of dried marijuana specialized to treat various ailments and symptoms.
Beyond that, some dispensaries offer oils, concentrates, liquids that can be vaporized, topical ointments, pills, edibles, wax and accessories.
It depends on the product. Patients using cannabidiol, or CBD medicines, may not test positive. Other cannabis medications will cause patients to test positive.