This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice. Program rules, fees and forms change. Always confirm details with the Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) and talk to a qualified health care provider about your own situation.

If you live in Florida and want to join the state’s medical cannabis program, the process follows a set order: confirm you are eligible, see a qualified provider, register with the state and then buy only from licensed outlets. This guide walks through how to get a medical marijuana card in Florida step by step, based on the Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU)’s published guidance as of October 29, 2026. It focuses on the access steps only. It does not discuss whether cannabis helps any condition. Florida’s program is run under section 381.986 of the Florida Statutes. For state basics on seeds and home growing rules, see our Florida marijuana seeds page. Kind Seed Co sells only to adults 21 and older.

Florida program at a glance

Topic	What the state says (verify before relying)
Agency	Office of Medical Marijuana Use, Florida Department of Health
Registry	Medical Marijuana Use Registry
Card fee	75 dollars, plus an online convenience fee
Card term	Expires one year after approval
Home grow	Not allowed
Where to buy	Licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers only
Out of state cards	Not accepted

Who runs the program

The Office of Medical Marijuana Use, part of the Florida Department of Health, runs the program. It keeps the Medical Marijuana Use Registry, processes ID card applications and licenses Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers. The official consumer site is knowthefactsmmj.com. Physicians must complete required training before they can order medical marijuana for patients.

Patients under 18 need a caregiver, and the OMMU says a second physician must agree with the certification for some minors. Caregivers must apply separately and meet their own requirements.

Step by step: getting registered in Florida

Step 1: Confirm residency

Florida requires proof of residency. Full time residents typically use a Florida driver license or ID card. Seasonal residents can qualify with documents that show they live in Florida part of the year, as described on the OMMU site.

Step 2: See a qualified physician

Make an appointment with a physician who is qualified to order medical marijuana in Florida. The physician examines you and decides whether you have a qualifying condition. If you qualify, the physician enters you into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry and creates a certification.

Step 3: Watch for your registry email

After the physician enters you, the registry sends login details by email. Check your spam folder if you do not see it.

Step 4: Apply for your ID card online

Log in to the registry and complete the card application in the Your Card section. Upload a photo and any required documents. In many cases the state can verify your photo and residency through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Step 5: Pay the fee

Pay the card fee online. The OMMU lists a 75 dollar card fee plus a 2.75 dollar convenience fee for online payment. Paper applications can be mailed, but they take longer.

Step 6: Wait for approval

OMMU says online applications average about 10 business days. Mailed applications take longer. You can check status by phone at 800 808 9580.

Step 7: Fill your order at a licensed center

Once approved, you can buy only from licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, within the orders your physician has entered in the registry.

Qualifying condition categories

State law lists the conditions that can make a patient eligible. As of October 29, 2026, the Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) lists these categories:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV and 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 the listed conditions
• Terminal conditions
• Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying condition or that originates from a qualifying condition and persists beyond the usual course of that condition

These categories come from section 381.986 of the Florida Statutes. A condition on this list only means a patient may qualify for the program. It does not mean cannabis is a proven or appropriate treatment for that condition. Only a qualified provider can decide whether you meet the criteria.

Costs and timing

Expect two separate costs: the physician visit, which is set by the clinic and not by the state, and the state ID card fee. The OMMU lists the card fee at 75 dollars, plus a 2.75 dollar online convenience fee. Replacement cards and declined payments carry a 15 dollar fee. Online processing averages about 10 business days, and mailed applications add several days.

The card expires one year after approval. You can renew up to 45 days before it expires. The OMMU says that from July 27, 2026, renewal and new applications require a current or scheduled certification with open orders, so keep your physician visits up to date.

What about growing at home?

Florida does not allow patients or caregivers to grow cannabis at home. Medical cannabis must be bought from licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers. Florida does not accept medical cards from other states. Adult use cannabis is not legal in Florida. Federal law also still treats marijuana as a controlled substance outside the narrow categories moved to Schedule III in 2026, and the federal hemp definition is scheduled to change on December 11, 2026. Our overview of legal requirements for growing weed plants in your state compares state rules.

Tips for a smooth application

• Gather proof of identity and Florida residency before your appointment
• Use the email address you check most often, since state notices usually arrive by email
• Keep copies of every confirmation, receipt and certification
• Write down your registry or patient number in a safe place
• Note renewal dates in your calendar well ahead of time
• Only buy from licensed outlets, and keep products in their original labeled packaging
• Never drive after consuming, and keep products locked away from children and pets
• Do not carry medical cannabis into another state unless that state’s law clearly allows it

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Florida medical marijuana card cost?

The OMMU lists the state ID card fee at 75 dollars plus a 2.75 dollar online convenience fee. Physician visit fees are separate and set by the clinic.

How long does it take to get a card in Florida?

The OMMU says online applications average about 10 business days. Mailed applications take longer.

Can I grow cannabis at home with a Florida medical card?

No. Florida does not allow home cultivation. Patients buy from licensed treatment centers.

Does Florida accept out of state medical cards?

No. Florida does not offer reciprocity for medical cards from other states.

How often do I renew?

The card expires one year after approval. You can renew up to 45 days before it expires.

Does this guide replace advice from the state or a provider?

No. This is general information only. The Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) is the official source, and a qualified provider can answer questions about your health.

Sources

• Florida Department of Health, Office of Medical Marijuana Use, knowthefactsmmj.com, patient ID card page, accessed October 29, 2026
• OMMU frequently asked questions, accessed October 29, 2026
• Florida Statutes, section 381.986, accessed October 29, 2026

The bottom line

Getting a medical marijuana card in Florida means seeing a qualified provider, registering with the state and buying only from licensed outlets. Check the Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) for current forms and fees before you start. For state seed and home grow basics, visit our Florida page or the Kind Seed Co shop. Kind Seed Co sells only to adults 21 and older. Always follow the home grow laws where you live.