Florida medical marijuana laws not only regulate who is eligible for a medical marijuana prescription but also how that prescription should be used. In previous posts, we have talked about the Florida regulations that govern who is eligible for a prescription, so today we’re going to take a look at some of the laws that govern how a medical cannabis prescription should be used.
Florida Medical Marijuana Laws: Regulations For Use in Florida
Possession Limits
In the state of Florida, a medical marijuana doctor may only issue certification for three 70-day supply limits of medical cannabis. The daily dose amount and equivalent dose amounts of each form of marijuana obtained through a medical cannabis dispensary are quantified by the Department of Health.
Additionally, in 2018, SB182 determined that patients may carry up to four ounces of herbal cannabis if the prescribing physician believes that the benefits of smoking marijuana outweigh any risks that exist from this form of ingestion.
Self Cultivation
In the state of Florida, medical cannabis patients are not permitted to cultivate their own medical cannabis. All medical marijuana must be obtained through a licensed dispensary within the state. Patients with a valid prescription who are caught cultivating their own supply of cannabis face the same legal repercussions as anyone else.
Medical Marijuana Patient Caregivers
Florida state law recognizes caregivers of patients who have been prescribed medical cannabis. These caregivers must be aged 21 or over and must have agreed to aid the patient in question with their medical marijuana use. A caregiver must also have qualified for and received a caregiver identification card that has been issued by the Department of Health. It’s also important to note that the Department of Health can limit the number of medical marijuana patients that one caregiver can serve at one time as well as the number of caregivers that any one patient may have at a given time.
Medical Marijuana Use Is Prohibited in…
In the state of Florida, medical marijuana use is prohibited in a number of situations and environments, these include:
- On any form of public transportation (low THC is permitted)
- In any public place (low THC is permitted)
- In the patient’s place of employment (unless permitted by his or her employer)
- In a state correctional institution
- On the grounds of a preschool, primary school, or secondary school
- On a school bus
- In a vehicle
- In an aircraft
- On a motorboat (low THC is permitted)
Can Medical Marijuana Patients Use Their Presciption in States Where Medical Cannabis Is Not Legal
There are various opinions when it comes to this question, but the simple answer is that crossing state lines with marijuana – medical or otherwise – is a federal offense and could wind up blemishing your record with a criminal conviction.
Medical Marijuana Use in the Workplace
Medical cannabis use is NOT protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act which means that employers can legally enforce a drug-free workplace. This means that as a medical cannabis user, you may not use your prescribed cannabis at work and you may not (currently) take your employer to court if they demand that you maintain a drug-free workplace.
Medical Cannabis Use in Apartment Buildings
If you are a medical marijuana patient living in an apartment building, it’s important to know that your landlord does not have to allow you to use your prescription while living in their property. This is because while medical cannabis is legal in the state, as a class 1 substance, it is still illegal at a federal level. So, by asking your landlord to look the other way when using your prescription, you are asking them to break federal law and because federal law supersedes state law you are putting them at risk for federal prosecution.
Have Questions About Florida Medical Marijuana Laws
If you have questions about Florida medical marijuana laws or if you are interested in exploring the possibility of medical cannabis for your symptoms, The Medical Marijuana Doctor can help! All you have to do is use our easy tool to make your medical marijuana appointment online!