1. How long before I can start purchasing medicine?
- Immediately. After acquiring the approval from a Florida physician who has been licensed by the State of Florida to prescribe medical marijuana, the patient will have a portal created by the prescribing doctor which will give the patient access to complete their annual online application. The initial online application is something MedLeaf’s team members will help every new patient with as a courtesy during the first visit. The Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) is now interconnected to Florida’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to allow for prospective new patients to gain automatic approval from the state. Assuming a new patients information is up to date with Florida’s (DMV), if said patient is qualified by a MedLeaf Doctor, the patient will be able to start purchasing medicine as soon as they leave our office.
2. Do I need medical documentation to be seen by the doctor?
- Medical Documentation is not necessary, upon your first visit we will have you sign a medical release form which will allow us to reach out to your doctor/doctors for you. Each new patient will see Dr. Zelinka and at that point the doctor will determine what documentation we will be reaching out to obtain.
3. What is the initial evaluation fee?
- Prices are comparable to other treatment clinics. Please contact our office for exact pricing. The initial evaluation with the doctor is a free consultation, if Dr. Zelinka determines that a patient does not meet the qualifying criteria, their payment will be refunded in full. The state of Florida charges each patient $75.00 per year to have a medical card, which is separate from the doctor.
4. Where can I purchase my medicine?
- Medicine will be purchased from a state licensed dispensary. A patient will have access to any dispensary in the state, and can even visit multiple dispensaries per day. Each dispensary chain has their own discount program, so it usually works in a patient’s favor to shop around a bit.
5. How do I renew my ID card?
To maintain an active Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card, you and/or your caregiver must annually submit a renewal application, along with the application fee and any required accompanying documents to the department forty-five (45) days prior to the card expiration date. Per state law, the patient is required to be seen “physically” by the certifying physician every 7 months. You have 2 expiration dates to monitor. You and your caregiver can submit a renewal application either online or by mail.
6. Can minors be a patient in the program?
Yes. Florida law does not restrict access to the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Program based on age. However, Florida law has specific requirements for the medical use of marijuana by minors. These requirements include:
- A qualified physician must determine that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for all patients. If the patient is younger than 18 years of age, a second physician must concur with this determination and such concurrence must be documented in the patient’s medical record.
- A qualified physician may not issue a physician certification for marijuana in a form for smoking to a patient under 18 years of age unless the patient is diagnosed with a terminal condition, the qualified physician determines that smoking is the most effective route of administration for the patient, and a second physician who is a board-certified pediatrician concurs with such determination. Such determination and concurrence must be documented in the patient’s medical record and in the medical marijuana use registry.
- The parent or legal guardian of a qualified minor patient must provide the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) with written consent for the patient to use medical marijuana. The patient’s qualified physician must submit the parent’s/guardian’s Consent for Minor Patient (CMP) form to the OMMU prior to the minor patient beginning an MMUR ID Card application.
- Qualified patients who are under the age of 18, must designate a caregiver in the qualified patient’s application and in the Medical Marijuana Use Registry.
- If a qualified patient is younger than 18 years of age, only a caregiver may purchase or administer medical marijuana for the qualified patient. Patients who are minors may not purchase marijuana.
7. Can I grow my own marijuana?
No. FLORIDA LAW only allows licensed medical marijuana treatment centers to grow, process and dispense marijuana. The department will refer any business or individual suspected of violating state law to local law enforcement for investigation. It is important to remember that marijuana is illegal under federal law.
The 2024 Florida Statutes 381.986 Medical use of marijuana. (including 2025 Special Session C)
Florida Administrative Code & Florida Administrative Register Rule Chapter: 64-4 COMPASSIONATE USE