4 Perks of Having a Medical Marijuana Card in Florida

Florida, the “Sunshine State,” is well-known for its warm climate.  That is why the state is a popular destination for retirees.  Another reason for the growing interest in Florida is because of its laws regarding the use of marijuana.

In November 2016, the use of medical marijuana was legalized.  This fact is good news if you have a medical condition that can be alleviated by medical marijuana. No longer do you have to contact illegal suppliers to get your supply of cannabis. Here are four advantages of having a medical marijuana card in Florida that you should be aware of:

You Are Legally Protected

Florida has some of the strictest laws regarding marijuana.  According to the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), being caught with 20 grams or less is considered a misdemeanor. The penalty is one-year imprisonment and a fine of $1,000.  However, possessing, selling, or using more than 20 grams is charged as a felony with imprisonment from five to thirty years and fines reaching a maximum of $200,000.

However, with a medical marijuana card in Florida, you are legally protected under the Florida Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative. The marijuana card is proof that you are allowed to use marijuana for your medical condition upon the doctor’s recommendation.  Plus, the same card allows your appointed caregiver to collect and administer medical cannabis.

You Will Receive Continuous Medical Treatment

Having a medical marijuana card in Florida will grant you continuous access to cannabis. The following medical conditions allow you to use cannabis upon the recommendation of a medical marijuana (MMJ) doctor:

  • Various types of Cancer
  • Epilepsy
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Terminal conditions
  • Glaucoma

According to an article by the Harvard Medical School, patients report that cannabis can treat insomnia, anxiety, spasticity, and severe pain. With the help of marijuana, those undergoing chemotherapy experience a reduction in nausea.

In March 2019, Florida’s SB182 allowed smoking of medical cannabis, giving patients more options for administering the drug.

You Have Access to Good-Quality Marijuana

The Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) has a selective list of authorized medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs).  These dispensaries are the only ones allowed to release medical marijuana to patients who present a valid medical marijuana card in Florida.

These MMTCs are required to pass audits, as stated in Florida’s Statute 381.986.  Moreover, their marijuana goes through strict quality control and quality assurance by a certified Medical Marijuana Testing Laboratory.

Therefore, you will have peace of mind that your dispensary is supplying you with good-quality marijuana.

You Get Discounts and Privileges 

Most dispensaries in Florida offer the following:

  • First-time patient discount
  • Veterans discount
  • Compassionate discount for Florida Electronic Bank Transfer (EBT) cardholders or Medicaid recipients
  • Discounts from loyalty programs
  • Bulk purchase discounts

Plus, some offer the convenience of ordering online and having medical marijuana products delivered to your home.

You receive these benefits only if you have a valid medical marijuana card in Florida.

With these four benefits, it pays to have your medical marijuana card in Florida.  You will have the peace of mind from knowing that you legally have access to first-rate medical marijuana.