Since 2014, Floridians suffering from a long list of chronic and terminal conditions have had the right to access medicine derived from marijuana. Cannabis-based medicine is said to treat a range of conditions from chronic pain to insomnia. But the option to use medical MJ is so new, many people who could potentially benefit are left with questions.
Patients looking to obtain a marijuana card do need their medical records to qualify. A few other requirements exist. If joining Florida’s marijuana program seems complicated, read on to discover exactly what people living in the state need to do to qualify for an MMJ card.
Determine Residency
According to state law, a resident is someone who lives in the state for at least 31 consecutive days in a calendar year. This includes people with temporary residences, provided they visit the state at least once a year.
People who are registered to vote or who pay taxes in the state are generally considered eligible for a card.
Get Your Medical Records
To make an appointment with an MMJ doctor, you’ll need to obtain a copy of your medical records. This is easy enough – contact your physician’s office and make a medical records request. They’ll have you fill out a form and return the records to you in your preferred format: fax, email, or postal mail.
You’ll need to bring these records with you to your MMJ appointment.
Find a Qualified MMJ Physician
More than 1,200 physicians are currently certified to offer medical MJ services.
You can use the FL Department of Health Medical Marijuana Qualified Physician Search to find a provider. The tool is easy to use and allows patients to search by city, county, zip code, and whether a doctor is accepting new patients or not.
Once a qualified physician has determined you meet the requirements of the MJ program (based on symptoms and a thorough medical exam), your name will be added to the Marijuana Use Registry. This will allow you to apply for your marijuana card.
Are My Medical Records Safe?
Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use is regulated by the Department of Health. The state’s DoH also issues the industry’s licenses for grow operations and sales. This is the organization tasked with protecting your private records.
The Department of Health is a trustworthy steward of your personal medical information. The office has a multi-billion dollar budget and has been handling massive amounts of personal data for decades.
Get in touch with a Florida-based medical MJ provider for answers to any further questions you have about MMJ in the Sunshine State. You can also talk to your doctor about the potential benefits of adding cannabis medicine to your health regimen.