Florida Adds Edibles To Medical Dispensaries!
01 Sep, 20
After approving cannabis for medical use, in what has been considered a very restricted medical marijuana program(in terms of the product categories permissible by the amendment), infused edibles will now be allowed for sale at dispensaries across the state.
Until this decision was recently made, most consumers were grateful that the smokable form of cannabis (flower) was made available shortly after the program began dispensing medicine. Patients do not have the same type of product availability that one would see in California or Colorado, but with this newest addition things are certainly starting to get better.
This move will significantly increase sales within the program and will give a much needed boost to cannabis businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While some states, like California, have seen a major increase in sales over the last six months, the same can’t be said about Florida. One of those reasons could be attributed to their extremely restricted program that does not allow many products on the market.
What Is Amendment II?
Passed in 2016, Amendment II was the legislation that made medical marijuana legal in the State of Florida. Despite being supported by the vast majority of Florida residents, the program did not get off to a smooth start. Soon after the amendment became law, officials across the state wanted to ban smokable cannabis, as well as cannabis infused edibles and concentrates from being included as medicine.
In addition to regular cannabis being offered, patients can also get CBD based medicines, which have become very popular for anyone trying to take a holistic approach to their treatment. Last year the FDA approved the world’s first CBD based medication, Epidiolex, due to its ability to help relieve the worst symptoms of two rare seizure disorders.
Who Is Eligible For Medical Cannabis?
Medical marijuana is currently available for permanent and seasonal Florida residents that have already been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition. If the patient is under 18 or suffering from a terminal illness, a second opinion must be sought and that doctors recommendation must be recorded in the patients medical records.
Qualifying Conditions
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- Crohn’s Disease
- HIV/Aids
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Terminal condition diagnosed by primary care physician
- Other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class*
- Anorexia
- Back Pain
- Hepatitis C
- Migraines
- Anxiety
- Cachexia
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Muscle Spasms
- Severe & Chronic Pain
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Lyme Disease
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Severe Nausea
- Spasticity
Those who are given a recommendation for medical marijuana are required to have a ‘Medical Marijuana Use Registry Card’ in order to purchase and be in possession of the cannabis.
Where Can I Consume My Medicine?
Like the majority of states with legal cannabis (whether it be medical or recreational, or both), you are not allowed to consume cannabis in public. If you are a qualified patient you are free to medicate at your home or anywhere that is private property and you have express permission from the owner to do so.
Amendment 2 does not: change the laws prohibiting driving under the influence of marijuana or require that employers and educational institutions allow patients to use medical marijuana at the workplace or on school grounds. Amendment 2 does not allow patients to smoke marijuana in public.It also does not change federal law, which totally prohibits marijuana possession and distribution.While Congress and the Department of Justice have set policies to prevent enforcement action from being taken against those complying with certain medical marijuana laws, the conflicting federal policy has created issues with banking and with patients’ ability to purchase and perhaps possess guns.