What is medical marijuana?

Florida law defines medical marijuana as all parts of any plant of the genus Cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant or its seeds or resin, including low-THC cannabis, which are dispensed from a medical marijuana treatment center for medical use by a qualified patient.

In Florida, medical marijuana is distinct from low-THC cannabis in that it can contain significant amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the chemical compound that causes the “high” commonly associated with cannabis. Unlike low-THC cannabis, the consumption of medical marijuana can lead to potent psychoactive effects in patients.

Who qualifies for medical marijuana?

A qualified physician may only order medical marijuana for a patient with a qualifying condition that is diagnosed by the patient's physician.

Qualifying conditions include:

• 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

 

The medical use of medical marijuana does NOT include the following:

• The possession, use or administration of medical marijuana by smoking.
• The transfer of medical marijuana to a person other than the qualified patient for whom it was ordered or their legal representative.
• The use or administration of medical marijuana on any form of public transportation, in any public place, in a qualified patient's place of employment, if restricted by his or her employer, in a state correctional institution, on the grounds of a preschool, primary school, or secondary school or any school bus or vehicle.

The medical use of medical marijuana does NOT include the following as stated in Section 381.986(1)(j), F.S.:

1. Possession, use, or administration of marijuana that was not purchased or acquired from a medical marijuana treatment center.
2. Possession, use, or administration of marijuana in the form of commercially produced food items other than edibles or of marijuana seeds.
3. Use or administration of any form or amount of marijuana in a manner that is inconsistent with the qualified physician’s directions or physician certification.
4. Transfer of marijuana to a person other than the qualified patient for whom it was authorized or the qualified patient’s caregiver on behalf of the qualified patient.
5. Use or administration of marijuana in the following locations:
   • a. On any form of public transportation, except for low-THC cannabis.
   • b. In any public place, except for low-THC cannabis.
   • c. In a qualified patient’s place of employment, except when permitted by his or her employer.
   • d. In a state correctional institution, as defined in s. 944.02, or a correctional institution, as defined in s. 944.241.
   • e. On the grounds of a preschool, primary school, or secondary school, except as provided in s. 1006.062.
   • f. In a school bus, a vehicle, an aircraft, or a motorboat, except for low-THC cannabis