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MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS FOR A MARIJUANA CARD
Florida has very liberal views on marijuana use. Close to 60% of the citizens of Florida support the recreational use of marijuana. So it’s no surprise that almost 75% of the populace supported medical marijuana (MMJ) use in the 2014 vote.
Marijuana based treatments are now available Florida. Before accessing the treatment, however, you will need a Medical Marijuana Card (MMC). Below is a comprehensive outline of how you can get a MMC in the state.
******* QUALIFYING CONDITIONS *******
You will have to satisfy two main types of requirements before you can legally use medical marijuana in Florida.
- Medical Requirements: Select medical conditions that merit marijuana related treatment under Florida law.
- Legal Requirements: The law has a lot to say about the medical use of marijuana in Florida.
******* MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS *******
Initially, only epileptic seizures qualified for medical Marijuana. However, amendments have expanded the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014. These 10 conditions qualify for a marijuana based treatment approach.
- AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS)
ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a condition that results in the death of motor neurons. The muscles that relied upon the neurons then waste away and die. Marijuana helps to slow down the progression of the disease and cushions its severity. - CANCER
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a component of marijuana. It shows a lot of promise as an option for the treatment of cancer symptoms. Some research even suggests that CBD can reduce the size of tumors. Marijuana also reduces the symptoms of the disease and of chemotherapy. - CROHN’S DISEASE
Crohn’s disease is characterized by an inflammation of the bowels. The raw inflammation can become big enough to cause a blockage. MMJ’s anti-inflammatory potency is well-documented. Across the centuries, different cultures have used marijuana to treat inflammation. - EPILEPSY AND SEIZURES
Epilepsy is, arguably, the condition that popularized Marijuana as a treatment option. Cannabinoids (chemicals in marijuana) lower the frequency of seizures. Medical marijuana has also been shown to reduce the severity of the seizures. - GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is characterized by fluid buildup within the eyeballs. This buildup results in harmful pressure, which can damage the optic nerve, leading to blindness. Cannabinoids relieves the pain and pressure associated with Glaucoma. - HIV/ AIDS.
One-third of the people with AIDS experience adverse side effects after taking ARVs (antiretrovirals). Medical marijuana is an effective remedy for most of the side effects associated with ARV use. Additionally, patients often regain their appetite when on MMJ. - MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a painful degenerative condition. The immune system targets neurons as it would harmful invaders. As a result, the person suffers a slow and painful loss of motor control. Marijuana helps reduce the pain, beat the blues, and bring sleep to MS patients. It also reduces the severity of muscle spasms associated with MS. - PARKINSON’S DISEASE.
Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative condition. It affects the motor and co-coordinative capabilities of the body. Medical Marijuana helps control the muscle spasms associated with Parkinson’s disease. It has also been shown to ease the side effects of medication. - POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD).
PTSD is common in people who have survived traumatic events. This is especially relevant for soldiers, who are particularly susceptible. The condition is characterized by anxiety attacks, irritability, and irrational fear. Medical Marijuana is effective in the treatment of PTSD, even for treatment-resistant cases. - PHYSICIAN’S DISCRETION
Finally, physicians still reserve the right to recommend any condition not mentioned above for consideration. A qualifying medical condition is, however, only the first step. While you may suffer a qualifying condition, there are several more steps to obtain a prescription for MMJ. Another set of criteria needs to be met before you can get a Florida Marijuana Card.
Below are other legalities to be satisfied.
******* LEGAL REQUIREMENTS *******
- PATIENT MUST HAVE A MINIMUM AGE OF 18 YEARS:
Under-aged patients will have a hard time accessing marijuana related treatment. They must receive recommendations from 2 MMJ qualified doctors. - PATIENT MUST BE A RESIDENT OF FLORIDA WITH EVIDENCE OF RESIDENCY (DRIVING LICENSE, ID CARD, AND THE LIKE):
Take your proof of residency to your marijuana evaluation. Lack of proof results in automatic rejection of your case. - DOCUMENTATION FROM YOUR PHYSICIAN INDICATING THE SEVERITY OF YOUR CONDITION AND THE REASON FOR THE DIAGNOSIS:
The Marijuana Evaluation Board will use this documentation to determine the merits of your case. - YOU MUST HAVE BEEN UNDER THE CARE OF THE PHYSICIAN FOR OVER 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE RECOMMENDATION:
Avoid diagnosis from a new doctor. It raises red flags. The physician must have treated you long enough to have tried and failed at other approaches. - PATIENT MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH):
The DOH is responsible for implementing the Florida Medical Marijuana Program. Implementations of Medical Marijuana amendments have yet to revolutionize it. Do not expect too much but after a few decades, who knows? - PATIENT MUST NOT BE TRYING OUT MARIJUANA AS A FIRST TREATMENT:
You must have tried other traditional treatments. DOH only allows MMJ as a last resort. Therefore, your physician’s documentation must clearly illustrate the approaches you have tried and their degrees of success.
After walking through the above maze of requirements, you are ready for an MMC. Here at Green Health, our team of experts will go through your case, advise you, and help you process your MMC.
Always remember that sharing your medical marijuana is illegal. Visit us for more advice on how to handle your medication, more legalities, and your available options in the wide field of medical Marijuana.