It’s been years since medical marijuana became legal in Florida under the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act. The law permits the use of marijuana for qualifying medical conditions, as long as the patients are certified by a registered medical practitioner. The State of Florida has a list of qualifying conditions that allow patients to be eligible for medical use of Marijuana. However, the question that remains in the minds of many is “Does insurance cover medical marijuana?”
Since the use of Marijuana is legal in Florida for medicinal purposes, it would seem your health insurance would cover the cost of Cannabis products. If you want to use Marijuana and are looking to complete your certification and need confirmation on “Will insurance pay for medical marijuana”, continue reading this article.
Does health Insurance cover Medical Marijuana in Florida?
Many certified patients, who have to use Medical Marijuana for their health conditions, want to know if they can claim health insurance for their expenses. Whether insurance will pay for Medical Marijuana is a question many new and potential Marijuana patients are asking. The answer to that is, unfortunately, “No”. You will need to pay out of pocket for everything from your doctor’s consultation to the cannabis products you purchase.
Why doesn’t insurance cover Medical Marijuana?
To this date, Marijuana is categorized as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act on the federal level.
The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) classifies Schedule I substances as those considered to have a high risk of abuse and no recognized medical benefit at this time. Therefore, insurance companies generally won’t cover the costs tied to its use.
Additionally, most insurance providers only cover treatments that have been officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As of October 2025, the FDA has not approved the use of whole-plant cannabis for medical purposes.
Some cannabis-based medications, like Epidiolex, Marinol, and Cesamet, do have FDA approval, but medical marijuana itself does not. Because of this, health insurance companies don’t cover medical marijuana in Florida.
Does insurance work at Marijuana dispensaries?
No, insurance doesn’t work at dispensaries in Florida. Dispensaries in Florida operate on a cash or debit basis. Even though your doctor can recommend cannabis for medical use, dispensaries operate under state law, not federal law.
Since most insurance companies are federally regulated, they can’t process or reimburse transactions related to marijuana. So, whether you’re recommended cannabis flowers, oil, or edibles, expect to pay out of pocket at the counter.
Understanding Medical Marijuana Costs vs. Insurance
Since insurance does not cover it, patients are responsible for all medical marijuana expenses, which typically include:
1. Doctor Consultation: To get certified for medical marijuana, you will need to consult a state-certified medical marijuana doctor. This consultation usually costs between $100 and $250, depending on the cannabis clinic or relief shop. However, at MyFloridaGreen, you only have to pay $169 for the same services.
2. State Registration Fee: Florida charges $75 for your Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification Card. This annual fee is paid to the Florida State Office of Medical Marijuana Use.
3. Renewal Visits: These visits often range from $70–$150 and must be paid annually.
4. Dispensary Purchases: The price of cannabis products varies widely. Oils, tinctures, edibles, and flowers each have different price points.
Who Qualifies for Medical Marijuana in Florida?
Before you can even think about insurance, you should make sure to meet the eligibility criteria for medical marijuana. To legally buy and use medical marijuana, you must be:
- A resident of Florida (permanent or temporary)
- 18 years or older
- Diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition
- Recommendation from a certified Marijuana physician.
Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions in Florida
According to the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), the following are the medical marijuana qualifying conditions in Florida :
- Chronic pain
- Cancer
- Glaucoma
- Epilepsy
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Crohn’s disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Health issues that are similar in nature or severity to the qualifying conditions already recognized by Florida’s medical marijuana program. Terminal illnesses diagnosed by a physician (other than the one providing the marijuana certification). Chronic non-malignant pain that stems from or is linked to an approved medical condition and continues even after the usual recovery period has passed.
Will Health Insurance ever cover Medical Marijuana evaluations?
A sliver of hope has arisen as the DEA submitted a proposed rule to move marijuana to Schedule III earlier this year. This proposal is still under review.
But if it gets approved, reclassifying marijuana as Schedule III would acknowledge its medical benefits. It would also move out of the same category as heroin, which has no accepted medical use.
Moreover, it could give the FDA more room to approve additional cannabis-based treatments. Over time, as more of these medications gain approval, there’s a chance insurance providers might start offering some level of coverage for medical marijuana.
Will Insurance cover your Marijuana consultations and products?
Insurance companies do not cover the costs of medical marijuana at the moment. However, with evolving laws and policies, this can change in the near future.
With the DEA looking into reclassifying cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, there’s a chance that medical marijuana evaluations might eventually qualify as an insurable medical expense. Till the laws change, medical marijuana patients in Florida should plan to cover their own evaluation and treatment costs.
So, if you are thinking about becoming a medical marijuana patient, get in touch with My Florida Green today. Our certified medical marijuana doctors will educate you and walk you through the complete process of getting a medical card. So, why wait? Contact us now!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim medical marijuana on insurance?
No. Health insurance doesn’t cover medical marijuana in the United States. It is because cannabis is not recognized as having an accepted medical use under federal law.
Can veterans get discounts on cannabis products?
Absolutely. Many medical marijuana dispensaries offer discounts for veterans, typically ranging from 10% to 20%. You can also find discounts for new patients, birthdays, and loyalty rewards.
