What Do I Need to Get Medical Marijuana in Hollywood, Florida?

Florida’s medical cannabis legislation includes various requirements for patients. The process can be a little complex, so read on for a rundown of what you’ll need to get medical marijuana in Hollywood, Florida.
Florida Residency
The first thing you’ll need is proof of your Florida residency. Don’t worry if you don’t live in the state full time: part-time residents are eligible to get medical marijuana in Hollywood, Florida too!
To prove your eligibility, you’ll need evidence. Acceptable forms of evidence for full-time residents include:
● Florida driver’s license or ID card
● Florida voter registration
● For patients under 18, proof of registration at a Florida school
Seasonal residents will need at least two of:
● Title deed or mortgage documents
● Utility bill or other documents from a utility provider
● A letter or statement from your bank, credit card company, or investment account
● Mail from the government, including country, state, or federal agencies
This isn’t an exhaustive list, so feel free to send a message if you’re uncertain how to prove your Florida residency.
Evidence of Your Qualifying Medical Condition
In order to get medical marijuana in Hollywood, Florida, you’ll need to prove your eligible condition in the form of your medical records. The law also requires patients to try other treatments before medical marijuana, so make sure to include proof of other therapies you’ve tried. You can get these by asking your family doctor or specialist for a printout of your medical records.
Florida’s list of eligible conditions includes:
● Cancer
● Epilepsy
● Glaucoma
● HIV/AIDS
● PTSD
● ALS
● Crohn’s disease
● Parkinson’s disease
● MS
● Or, a terminal illness, chronic non-cancer pain, or similar
Don’t worry if your condition isn’t on the list; the state’s law is worded to allow doctors significant leeway in terms of eligibility. In practice, this means that patients with a wide array of conditions could be eligible. Patients with diverse conditions such as anxiety, orthopedic conditions, cystic fibrosis, Lyme disease, immune conditions, arthritis, and more have had success getting a card.
In the end, the final say will lie with your recommending physician. If you have any doubts, you should contact a nearby medical marijuana doctor for help.
Medical Marijuana Recommendation
Before you can get your card, you’re going to need a doctor’s recommendation. However, your family doctor may be unable to help: physicians must complete a state-approved training course to become licensed to recommend medical marijuana.
The first step is to make an appointment. Remember to bring your proof of residency and medical history!
At the appointment, the doctor will examine you, check through your medical records, and ask about your condition.
If your doctor is satisfied that medical marijuana could help, they’ll issue a recommendation and enter your details into Florida’s medical marijuana registry. From there, you’re ready to apply for your card.
How to Get Medical Marijuana in Hollywood, Florida
The next step is to make an application for your card. This can be done online, or by printing the forms and mailing them to Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). Paper applications can be subject to significant delays so, if you have access to a computer, online is best.
The OMMU has identified photos as being one of the most common mistakes which patients make when applying. Those with a Florida driving license have no need to worry; the state can grab your photo from the DSMV database. If you don’t have a Florida license, you’ll need to provide a suitable passport-sized photo.
The state claims that applications are processed within five business days but, in practice, this can take a little longer. However, as soon as you’re approved, you’ll receive a temporary card in electronic format. This will allow you to get medical marijuana in Hollywood, Florida while you wait for your physical card.
Fees to Pay Before You Get Medical Marijuana in Hollywood, Florida
Another important consideration is how you’re going to pay: each stage of the process has associated fees.
Appointments with medical marijuana doctors can be hundreds of dollars. Next, you’ll need to pay a fee of $75 when submitting your application to the OMMU.
While doctors are likely to accept your credit cards, and the OMMU will accept cheques, this doesn’t necessarily apply to the dispensary. Due to cannabis’ legal status, banks risk severe penalties if they accept funds from the cannabis industry. In practice, this means that dispensaries may only accept payments in cash, so make sure to visit the ATM before you pick up your medication.
Patience
Given the complex requirements to get medical marijuana in Hollywood, Florida, you’ll also need to exercise some patience.
You might want your cannabis right now, but there’s a process to go through. However, the sooner you get started, the sooner you can start to enjoy your medicine. If you have any doubts about the requirements to get medical marijuana in Hollywood, Florida, just contact us and we’ll be happy to fill you in!