Legislation Changes Medical Marijuana in Florida

Here’s What You Need to Know about the New Updates on Amendment 2 in Florida

Medical Marijuana Changes in FloridaOn June 23, 2017 Florida Governor Rick Scott signed for the implementation of Amendment 2. Florida’s “Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014” was restrictive and only allowed patients with cancer or conditions causing chronic seizures to receive low-THC marijuana and medical marijuana was only given to patients with terminal illness. In November 2016 Florida passed the less restrictive Amendment 2 with 71% majority. Amendment 2 legalized the medical use of marijuana.

This implementation comes with a few changes from the original bill that was passed.

Below are some of the biggest changes for medical marijuana in Florida:

  • Being a qualified patient for medical cannabis is no longer limited to Florida residents. The new change includes seasonal Florida residents to be qualified as well. (Snowbirds and part-time residents.)
  • There will be no wait time of 90 days for qualified patients to receive and use their medical marijuana. (Once approved by the Medical Marijuana Use Registry.)
  • There is no more sales tax on medical products, including those needed for medical cannabis consummation.
  • The list of qualifying conditions are:
  1. ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
  2. Cancer
  3. Crohn’s Disease
  4. Epilepsy
  5. Glaucoma
  6. HIV Positive Status
  7. Multiple Sclerosis
  8. Parkinson’s
  9. PTSD
  10. Any type of terminal condition

And now also includes:

  • Chronic nonmalignant pain
  • Any condition that is a similar type or class of the 11-conditions listed above. An example is PTSD and Anxiety are similar types of conditions.

Other changes to Medical Marijuana in Florida

  • Tele-medicine visits are now prohibited; All behavioral and medical health examinations must be performed in person by a qualifying physician, like us.
  • Now qualifying patients can obtain up to three 70-day (210-day) supply limits of medical cannabis after being certified by a qualifying physician compared to previously patients only being allow 45-day supply limit.
  • Medical marijuana was previously only administered by:
  1. Inhalation
  2. Oral (example Capsule, Sublingual or Syringe)

And now also includes:

  • Edibles
  • Flower-like product that is sealed in a tamper-proof container

The new changes, in addition to all laws pertaining to Amendment 2, will take effect on June 24, 2017.

Please remember that the following still applies:

Under Florida medical marijuana laws, the use of medical marijuana does not include:

  • Possession, use or administration of medical marijuana by smoking
  • Transfer of medical marijuana to a person other than the qualified patient for whom it was ordered, or their legal representative
  • Use or administration of medical marijuana on any public transportation, in public space, in qualified patient’s place of employment (if restricted by the employer), in state correctional institutions, on the grounds of preschools, primary and secondary schools or on any school bus or vehicle.

The Florida legislation also paves the way for 10 more medical marijuana treatment centers by Oct. 3, which is the deadline for the new medical cannabis rules to be enacted, in addition to the seven already operating.

For more information on medical marijuana in Tampa, Hudson, or Beverly Hills, Florida or more information on changes to Amendment 2 click here. You can also contact our qualified medical cannabis physician’s office at (727) 202-4325 for an appointment.