Florida Marijuana Laws and Medicinal Weed Use

Florida marijuana laws and medicinal cannabis are currently on the agenda for the next legislative session. In the past, the state has debated whether to legalize adult cannabis use and taxation.

Now, the debate has moved to the House and Senate. What’s next? In the meantime, Floridians continue to demand legalization and taxation.

Florida Marijuana Laws

Florida has strict marijuana laws, and recreational use is illegal. Possession of less than 20 grams is a misdemeanor. Possession of more than 20 grams is a felony, and can land you in jail for up to five years. Delivering less than 20 grams without remuneration is also a misdemeanor. It is also illegal to sell less than 25 pounds to anyone.

While the state has yet to pass a medical cannabis law, there have been several successful attempts to change Florida’s outdated laws. In 2010, medical marijuana became legal in Colorado, and in 2014, Florida’s legislature passed the Compassionate Use Act. This law allowed cancer patients and epilepsy patients to access low-THC cannabis. In 2016, the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative was passed by a 71.3% margin, amending the state constitution.

Florida Dispensary Information

If you’re interested in obtaining a Florida medical marijuana card, you must be registered with the Department of Health. Florida medical marijuana patients are issued identification cards by October 3, 2017. These cards must be renewed each year. Under Florida medical marijuana laws, you can’t smoke marijuana or ingest the flower or seeds, but you can consume edibles or vape. However, you must keep the cannabis in its original packaging, and you must never transfer it to someone else.

Before the legislation was passed, it was necessary to pass the state’s Joint Committee on Medical Marijuana. This committee consisted of members of the Board of Medicine and Board of Osteopathic Medicine. The members of the committee voted unanimously to approve the rules. However, they didn’t have a template for how to frame the regulations, and some members were reluctant to endorse smoking. Regardless, the first state legislature approved a smokable marijuana program, and Florida’s marijuana laws and medicinal weed use are the first of its kind.

How to Get a Medicinal Marijuana Card in Florida

If you are wondering how to get a medical marijuana card in Florida, you are not alone. It is possible to get a medical card in just a few steps. There are two steps that you must take. First, you must be a Florida resident for at least 31 days. If you are not, you may be able to get a card if you spend more than 31 days in the state each year. Secondly, you must provide proof of residency. After submitting the paperwork, you should receive an email that confirms your registration. Your ID card will arrive in the mail soon after. Once you get it, you can begin purchasing cannabis treatments.

The next step is to register with the state. Once your application has been approved, you will be issued a temporary ID by the state. You will use this temporary ID to purchase items until you receive your physical card. To maintain your medical marijuana card, you must apply for renewal every 45 days before the expiration date. This will require submitting the renewal application, paying the renewal fee, and submitting the required documents.

Florida Marijuana Laws and Penalties

While it is not illegal in Florida to possess and use marijuana, the law has penalties for those who violate them. While possession is legal for personal use, it is still a felony offense and can carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. In addition, selling cannabis to minors is also against the law. The penalties for these offenses can be extremely harsh and may even result in a person losing his or her license.

The criminal penalties for violating Florida’s marijuana laws depend on where you were arrested and the amount of marijuana you were in possession of. In Tampa, the drug was first cited. Orlando and Key West followed suit. However, the state has decriminalized marijuana in places like Cocoa Beach. These cities are not necessarily the most liberal when it comes to drug laws. Rather, each city has its own specific marijuana laws.

FL Marijuana Summary

If you are thinking of visiting Florida, you may be wondering about Florida’s laws on recreational and medicinal weed use. The laws are rapidly evolving throughout the U.S., making it important to know what the laws are before you travel. DISA offers an interactive map of marijuana laws by state, which details the legalization, medical use, and recreational use of the drug. These maps can be helpful in determining what marijuana laws you may need to follow when visiting Florida.

Medical marijuana is only legal in Florida when the patient has a valid prescription from a licensed physician. Medical marijuana must be purchased in a tamper-proof packaging sold at a licensed medical marijuana dispensary. Although it is illegal to buy and possess marijuana recreationally, patients with valid medical marijuana cards can legally purchase and smoke it. They may not share their marijuana with other patients, so make sure you obtain your license and follow the state laws carefully.