A clearer path to your Florida medical marijuana card.
Meet face-to-face with a qualified Florida physician in downtown St. Pete. My Florida Green makes certification easier to understand, from your first evaluation through registry guidance and renewal.
ANSWER
How do I get certified in St. Petersburg?
Schedule an evaluation, complete your intake, and meet with a qualified Florida medical marijuana physician. If the physician determines that you have a qualifying condition and medical cannabis is appropriate, your certification and orders are entered in Florida’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry. You then complete the state application and, once approved, may purchase products from licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers.
Why St. Pete patients choose My Florida Green
A certification visit should feel personal, transparent, and useful—not like paperwork you have to decode alone.
Experienced medical guidance
A qualified physician reviews your history, symptoms, previous treatments, and goals before making a clinical decision.
Education, not guesswork
Patients receive a personalized recommendation and practical information about the Florida program and available routes of administration.
Secure patient experience
Online intake and health records are managed through a secure, HIPAA-conscious digital platform designed to keep the process organized.
Support after the appointment
The team helps patients understand registry steps, certification timing, state card renewal, and how to stay current.
From Questions to Relief in 4 Easy Steps
My Florida Green coordinates the clinical and administrative pieces while keeping you informed about what belongs to the physician, the state, and you.
Answer a Few Questions
Choose your St. Pete appointment and complete the secure intake form. Gather relevant medical records or documentation of your diagnosed condition when available.
Schedule Your Appointment
Your doctor conducts the required face-to-face evaluation, discusses symptoms and treatment history, and determines whether certification is medically appropriate.
Get Approved by a Certified Physician
If approved, the physician adds your certification and recommendation to the Medical Marijuana Use Registry. You complete the state identification-card application.
Shop at Any Florida Dispensary
After state approval, you may shop at licensed Florida dispensaries. Follow your physician’s recommendation and ask questions as your treatment needs evolve.
Know what comes next—before you begin
Your physician visit and your state application are two distinct parts of the Florida process. My Florida Green helps you prepare for the clinical evaluation, understand the registry, and move through each milestone with fewer surprises.
Some steps can happen quickly; others depend on state processing. Knowing who handles each stage makes it easier to stay organized and recognize when action is required from you.
Timelines are estimates rather than guarantees. Incomplete or inaccurate application information may delay state review.
Complete your secure intake and gather records that document your condition, symptoms, and previous treatment.
Meet face-to-face with the physician to discuss your history, concerns, and whether medical cannabis may be appropriate.
If approved, the physician enters your certification and recommendation into Florida’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry.
Complete the separate state card application. Approval timing varies, so monitor your email and registry account for updates.
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Medical conditions of the same kind or class as listed conditions
- A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the certifying physician
- Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by, or originating from, a qualifying condition
Bring records that help document your diagnosis, care history, and prior treatments. Your physician will explain whether your circumstances meet Florida requirements.
More than a card: education for the decisions ahead
Certification opens access to Florida’s regulated medical marijuana program; it does not replace thoughtful care. Product forms, cannabinoid ratios, timing, and individual response can differ. Your recommendation creates legal parameters, while education helps you have more productive conversations with your physician and licensed dispensary staff.
Start conservatively, follow medical advice, store products securely, and never drive while impaired. Keep cannabis away from children and pets, and tell your physician about other medications or health changes.
What the Medical Marijuana Use Registry does
The Florida Department of Health maintains the secure registry used by qualified physicians, approved patients and caregivers, and licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers. Your physician records certification and orders there; the state uses it for your identification-card application; dispensaries verify active eligibility and available orders before dispensing.
Keep these roles separate
Your physician determines eligibility and enters a time-limited certification and recommendation. The State of Florida reviews and issues the identification card. Licensed dispensaries dispense products within active registry orders.
This distinction explains why there are separate physician and state requirements—and why both must remain current.
Certification renewal and card renewal are different
Florida patients manage two related deadlines. The physician certification and orders are renewed through a qualified physician, generally every seven months. The state identification card is renewed separately, typically each year, through the Medical Marijuana Use Registry.
Renewing one does not automatically renew the other. If either lapses, you may lose the ability to purchase medical cannabis until it is active again. Schedule recertification before your physician orders expire, watch for state reminders, and confirm that your contact information remains current in the registry.
Already certified with another practice? My Florida Green offers transfer appointments designed to continue care, review your current treatment, and transfer the relevant patient record without making the process feel like starting over.
Meet Dr. Cynthia Lynnnette Higgins, MD
A distinguished psychiatrist, experienced medical marijuana physician, and advocate for compassionate, patient-centered care.
Dr. Higgins is a graduate of the University of South Florida College of Medicine and is authorized to evaluate eligible Florida patients for medical cannabis. Her approach gives patients room to discuss their symptoms, previous care, concerns, and wellness goals without feeling rushed through an unfamiliar process.
Her professional recognition includes the International Association of Top Professionals’ Empowered Woman of the Year award in 2022. She has been featured twice on CUTV News and hosts Joyful Intentions on the Win Win Women TV Network. At My Florida Green, she brings clinical experience , careful listening, and patient education together in each evaluation.
St. Pete certification pricing
Choose the visit that matches where you are in the Florida program. Each option includes an in-person physician evaluation and individualized treatment planning if approved.
Initial Appointment
- Secure intake before your visit
- Face-to-face exam with a licensed Florida doctor
- Personalized treatment plan
- Seven-month certification if approved
- Money-back guarantee if not satisfied
- One-time 4% card fee
Transfer Appointment
- Secure intake before your visit
- Face-to-face physician evaluation
- Personalized treatment plan
- Seven-month certification renewal
- Seamless transfer of medical records
- Money-back guarantee and one-time 4% card fee
Recertification
- Secure intake before your visit
- Face-to-face exam with a licensed Florida doctor
- Updated personalized treatment plan
- Seven-month certification renewal
- Money-back guarantee if not satisfied
- One-time 4% card fee
The State of Florida issues the Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card. The separate state fee is $77.75 and is not included above. Prices and fees should be confirmed when scheduling.
Educational videos to watch at your pace
Explore common questions about medical cannabis and Florida’s program before or after your appointment.
Build a strong foundation
Learn core concepts that can help you ask more informed questions during your care.
Explore the patient journey
Understand the practical steps that follow physician certification and state approval.
Continue your education
Review additional guidance designed for patients navigating medical cannabis responsibly.
Visit My Florida Green St. Pete
790B 4th Ave SSt. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 369-6230
The professional office is convenient to central St. Petersburg. Patient reports note free parking in front of the building, with street parking sometimes needed.
Serving St. Pete and neighboring Pinellas communities
Patients visit the St. Petersburg office from across the city and nearby Gulf Coast communities.
What patients say about the experience
“Everyone was polite and informative and walked you through the process for newcomers. Highly recommended and clean office. Dr. Higgins was very informative and candid during my review process.”— Joseph Causey
“Very nice people, very thorough and knowledgeable, efficient. Would recommend to anyone.”— Glen Josephsen
“Made everything real easy and were very kind and understanding. Highly recommend.”— Brian Farrell
Reviews reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee eligibility or treatment outcomes.
The My Florida Green expert podcast library
Continue learning through discussions with medical marijuana experts, interviews, and coverage of developments in the field. The library is designed for patients, healthcare professionals, and anyone seeking a more informed understanding of medical cannabis.
Explore the Podcast LibrarySt. Petersburg medical marijuana FAQs
How do I get a medical marijuana card in St. Petersburg?
First meet in person with a qualified Florida physician. If you have a qualifying condition and the physician determines medical cannabis is appropriate, the physician enters your certification in the Medical Marijuana Use Registry. You then complete the separate state identification-card application and wait for approval before purchasing from a licensed dispensary.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring a valid Florida driver license or identification card and relevant medical records when available. Records may include diagnoses, imaging, prescription history, treatment notes, or documentation showing how your condition affects daily life. Complete the online intake before arriving.
Is certification guaranteed?
No. Certification is a medical decision. The physician must review your history and determine that you meet Florida requirements and that the potential benefits of medical marijuana reasonably outweigh the potential risks.
Can chronic pain qualify in Florida?
Chronic nonmalignant pain may qualify when it is caused by, or originates from, a qualifying medical condition and persists beyond the usual course of that condition. Florida also recognizes certain comparable debilitating conditions. The physician evaluates each patient individually.
Can I purchase medical marijuana immediately after my appointment?
Not solely because the appointment is complete. Your physician must approve and enter the certification, and you must meet the state’s registry and identification requirements. You may purchase only after you are eligible in the registry and have active physician orders.
How often do I need to see the physician?
Florida physician certifications are time-limited and generally require recertification every seven months. Your state identification card follows a separate annual renewal cycle. Check both dates so neither requirement lapses.
What is the difference between a transfer and a recertification?
A transfer appointment is for an existing Florida patient moving care from another certification practice. Recertification is for a returning My Florida Green patient whose physician certification needs renewal. Both include a face-to-face physician evaluation.
Does My Florida Green sell cannabis?
No. My Florida Green connects eligible patients with qualified physicians for certification and provides patient education and administrative support. Medical cannabis products are sold only by licensed Florida Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers.