If you are considering medical marijuana in Florida, a question might have crossed your mind: Can you get evaluated online, or do you need to see a doctor in person? While the online medical marijuana evaluation seems quite convenient, is this option available to all? Does the law permit an initial online evaluation option, or is it only available for renewal cases?
We are going to break down all the medical marijuana card evaluation options for you so you can decide which one is legally permissible, depending on your situation.
How Do Medical Marijuana Evaluations Work in Florida?
Before we dive into the comparison between the in-person and online medical marijuana evaluation, it’s important to understand that Florida requires you to go through an in-person evaluation on your initial visit (first-time patients). This is a state law, which stands tall today.
Under the law, you are required to first set up an in-person appointment with a qualified doctor who will physically evaluate you and decide whether or not you qualify for medical marijuana.
What are the medical marijuana qualifying conditions in Florida, then? They include cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and chronic debilitating pain. The state also recognizes other medical conditions of the same kind or class as the ones discussed above as eligible for medical marijuana use.
Now, this initial in-person evaluation isn’t a rushed one. Rather, a certified medical marijuana doctor will review your medical history, discuss your current symptoms and condition in detail, and assess your eligibility.
If he deems you eligible, he will add your details to Florida’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry (MMUR). After that, you just have to finish the state application and pay the registration fee.
The in-person evaluation may require more effort, but it is critical that you see the doctor physically and get evaluated. During cannabis evaluations Florida, doctors can answer your questions, address your apprehensions, and provide reassurance, especially to new patients. You can discuss your concerns and choose the best marijuana product for your condition, symptoms, and lifestyle.
What about other medical marijuana card evaluation options? Telehealth does exist in Florida’s medical marijuana program, but it has its limitations, and understanding those is really crucial to making an informed decision.
Schedule your appointment today for Medical Marijuana Card in Florida with My Florida Green’s certified doctors.
What are online Medical Marijuana evaluations?
In today’s busy life, it becomes often difficult to go to physical appointments, which is why telehealth and remote options were discussed for Marijuana program Florida. The enactment of House Bill 387 (HB 387), 2023, formally made telehealth appointments possible for renewals.
As long as the patient has already undergone a first in-person physical examination, HB 387 permits a certified online medical marijuana doctor Florida to provide follow-up medical marijuana examinations via telehealth.
Now, once an in-person evaluation has already been done, future check-ins and recertifications, which must be completed every 210 days, can be managed remotely using a secure telehealth platform. In other words, depending on your physician and medical history, online evaluation may be permitted for renewals but not for new patients.
Online vs In-Person Medical Marijuana Evaluations
| Aspect | Online Evaluation | In-Person Evaluation |
| How It Works | Conducted via secure video call with a certified medical professional. | The process occurs either in a licensed clinic or a certified medical marijuana doctor’s office. |
| Convenience | Highly convenient | Less convenient |
| Appointment Time | Faster scheduling, often the same day | Depending on clinic availability, scheduling may involve longer wait times. |
| Doctor Interaction | Virtual evaluation (via video call) | Face-to-face interaction |
| Legal Status | Limited to renewals in Florida | Legally required for first-time patients. |
How can MFG help with medical marijuana certifications?
My Florida Green is a reputable name in Florida’s medical marijuana landscape. They are committed to assisting patients in navigating the state’s medical marijuana program legally and safely.
The company offers in-person medical marijuana evaluations in many locations around Florida, including Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, Naples, Melbourne, Sarasota, Hialeah, and Fort Myers. These visits ensure compliance with Florida law, especially for first-time patients.
New to medical marijuana? The process starts by checking whether or not you are eligible for medical marijuana.
Prior to your visit, you will first fill out a short intake form. There is no back and forth or guesswork because appointments are made online at My Florida Green.
Afterward, you will get an in-person examination with a state-licensed medical marijuana doctor during your appointment. After reviewing your condition and speaking with you about your symptoms, the doctor will decide whether or not you are eligible for medical marijuana.
If found eligible, he will write you a personalized medical marijuana for cancer recommendation and add you to Florida’s MMUR (Medical Marijuana Use Registry).
This whole process will cost you about $169 and comes with a 7-month certification for medical marijuana.
If you’re not happy with the medical marijuana consultation, you can get a refund. A win-win situation, no?
Afterward, just upload evidence of residency and submit a straightforward application to the Florida Department of Health. Within ten to fourteen days, the majority of patients acquire a medical marijuana card via mail, which enables them to lawfully visit state-licensed dispensaries.
Need a Renewal? The process is the same. Just fill out the intake form first, and then attend your in-person cancer doctor appointment. He’ll review your progress, how things are working, and, if necessary, modify your treatment plan.
This recertification process will cost you about $99 and includes a 7-month certification renewal.
Understand the rules surrounding marijuana use
So, what should you choose, an online medical marijuana evaluation or an in-person one? Well, if you’re applying for a medical marijuana card in Florida for the first time, you need to undergo an in-person cannabis evaluation.
On the other hand, if you have already taken the in-person examination and want to renew your certification, an online medical marijuana evaluation can be a viable option. The key is to understand where you stand and select the option that is both legal and appropriate for your care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is an online evaluation cheaper than an in-person one at MyFloridaGreen?
Online (telehealth) renewals for current My Florida Green patients are usually less expensive than the initial in-person appointment. The MFG recertification charge is around $99. Add that to the $77.75 state fee for card renewal, and the 4% credit card processing fee, and your total comes out to be about $183.82 annually.
How quickly can I complete an online evaluation?
Renewal appointments conducted via telehealth are typically brief and efficient, lasting 10 to 30 minutes.
Are online medical marijuana evaluations legal in Florida?
Online medical marijuana evaluations are not permitted for first certification in Florida. The state allows the use of telehealth only for renewals, provided that they are with the same doctor who conducted the first in-person exam.
