Since 1990, marijuana has been used in the medical field to address the symptoms that come with various diseases and conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, insomnia, epilepsy, and the like. It was actually in 2016 when the state of Florida finally legalized its medical usage.
With countless studies supporting it, marijuana has proven to be beneficial. There have been numerous efforts to support the cause, and one of them is the approval of marijuana usage in Florida schools to students that have a Florida medical marijuana card (MMID), given that it’s administered through “non-smokable/non-inhalable products such as oil, tinctures, and edibles.”
Presently, there are more than 300,000 Floridians who have qualified for an MMID.
What are the medical conditions that qualify for a medical marijuana card?
The use of medical marijuana is heavily restricted. Below is a list of conditions where the said medication is qualified:
- AIDS
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Anorexia
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Crohn’s disease
- Depression
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV
- Insomnia
- Lyme Disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Multiple chronic muscle spasms
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Seizures
- Schizophrenia
The list goes on, but the items in bold are the ones that have been clearly stated to be medical conditions under Florida’s medical marijuana law.
One should note that medical marijuana is mainly administered to manage the symptoms of the indicated medical conditions. Due to its chemical components, it’s a highly potent pain reliever that is extremely useful to people who are experiencing chronic pain due to cancer and epilepsy.
How to apply for a medical marijuana card?
Under normal circumstances, it’s easy and convenient to get your own a Florida medical marijuana card. You can just follow these three steps:
1.Book an appointment
It takes roughly $199 to book a certified medical marijuana doctor in Florida, and it includes the consultation, digital certification, and 24/7 dispensary verification that’s good for a year
- Attend the 10 to 15-minute consultation
The doctor will now assess your condition to see if you qualify for the card. After that, the doctor will prepare your recommendation letter, encode your information on the Florida Medical Marijuana Registry, and provide you with your patient identification number.
- Get your medical marijuana card!
Prepare your $75 for the processing fee and send in your applications at the registry. After that, all you need to do is wait. According to the state’s official site on medical marijuana, it usually takes a total of ten business days to receive your card via mail.
What to bring before the appointment with the doctor?
Preparing to visit your medical marijuana doctor may be stressful for some, so do not forget to bring one of these documents before your consultation.
For Florida residents, you need a copy of your valid identification cards such as driver’s license or passport.
Although it may be optional, it’s best to bring your medical records to support your request.
It may be wrapped in controversy, but Florida remains to be the fastest-growing market of medical marijuana in the country. And with its current pace, there’s no doubt that sooner or later, medical marijuana will be more accessible and affordable to people. Having access to it is the right of every citizen in order to achieve a better life.
