Florida bill would make medical marijuana certifications good for two years

Florida medical marijuana patients, now required to have a physician certify that they are qualified to remain in the state’s prescription program about every seven months, would have that requirement relaxed to just once every two years under a bill introduced by a Republican lawmaker last week.

The legislation (SB 1032) by Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami, also would allow doctors to significantly increase the supply limits that qualified doctors can prescribe to patients. The bill would allow doctors to issue certifications for up to 10 70-day supply limits of smokeable medical marijuana, rather than three. Doctors could also issue up to 20 35-day supply limits instead of the existing six.

The proposal would waive the $75 registration and annual renewal fees to receive a medical marijuana ID card for any military veteran honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.

A similar measure (HB 719) was filed in the House last month by Rep. Bill Partington, R-Ormond Beach. His bill would go further by requiring the Florida Department of Health to establish reciprocity agreements allowing patients from other states to qualify for a registration card “within 1 business day.”

Partington’s bill also would allow doctors to recommend medical cannabis via telehealth visits for initial consultations. Existing Florida law allows telehealth visits only when patients have their cards renewed.

There are 929,655 medical marijuana patients in Florida, according to the Office of Medical Marijuana Use. To remain in the program, each patient must renew his or her ID card with the state every 12 months at $75 per clip. They must renew certification by their doctors every 210 days, or approximately seven months from the date the physician certifies. Those fees vary by clinic and location across the state, generally ranging between $100 to $200.

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