Our Clinical Policy
THCMD accepts all major credit and debit cards. We do not accept cash, FSA, or HSA cards. Insurance, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical marijuana at this time.
*Some insurance companies may offer reimbursement if you submit a receipt for your visit.
If you do not qualify for your medical marijuana card we will provide you with a full refund.
Yes, in fact we highly recommend you provide us with as much health information from the past 12 months from your primary care physician and/or specialists as you can. We don’t need labs or diagnostic results, only charted records of your diagnosis.
You can bring these records with you during your initial appointment, or we’ll have you fill out a medical records release when you come in for your appointment that we will fax to your other doctors.
Because cannabis is still prohibited at a Federal level, we are unable to accept medical insurance. We are, however, a legal medical practice and each patient will be provided with a receipt upon payment they can submit to their insurance companies for reimbursement if allowed.
Yes. All of our scheduling, digital paperwork, and medical records systems are 100% HIPAA compliant. We will not release any information to anyone without your prior written permission or a subpoena from a court of law.
My employer is a substance free workplace environment. What will happen if I take medical marijuana?
You should communicate with your human resources department to discuss your medical condition and what their policies indicate for such a situation. We do not recommend risking your employment prior to speaking with HR.
Under Florida law, patients must be seen for an in-person examination at minimum of once every 30 weeks. Your initial appointment with the doctor begins the 30 week timer.
Since we have a duty to assess patient’s treatment and to better ensure a high standard of care, new patients must return for an office visit within 90-days of their initial certification appointment.
90-days after your initial office visit (180 days after your first appointment), you’ll return for a recertification appointment.
After your first recertification visit, provided you’re comfortable with your usage and dosage and aren’t undergoing active symptomology of your debilitating condition, we will schedule you for regular recertification visits each 180 days.
To prove you are a Florida resident, you must present one of the following documents, along with your photo ID:
Copy of your house deed or lease agreement
Utility bill no more than two months old
State ID or driver’s license
Passport
Florida Cannabis Program
A caregiver must be 21 years old, and complete a caregiver certification course which costs up to $100. The caregiver must pass a background check if he or she is not a close relative of the patient. The caregiver must be the patient’s legal guardian or have a medical power of attorney.
No more than one caregiver may be designated for each patient, unless that patient is a minor. Only one patient can be assigned to one caregiver. A caregiver may be employed through hospice. The caregiver will be registered along with the patient in the Medical Marijuana Registry, and will receive a medical marijuana card which must be presented with a photo ID when picking up or signing for a medical marijuana prescription.
The state does have specific residency requirements for patients, but the law allows for the certification of “seasonal residents” with debilitating illnesses. The term “seasonal resident” means any person who temporarily resides in this state for a period of at least 31 consecutive days in each calendar year, maintains a temporary residence in this state, returns to the state or jurisdiction of his or her residence at least one time during each calendar year, and is registered to vote or pays income tax in another state or jurisdiction.
The Medical Marijuana Use Registry is a secure, online database of ordering physicians and qualified medical marijuana patients. It is maintained by the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use.
It is accessible to ordering physicians, law enforcement, dispensing organization staff, and Office of Medical Marijuana Use staff.
Yes in the state of Florida you can have both your concealed carry license and a medical marijuana license.
Remember, having a concealed carry and purchasing a weapon are two different things.
A CCW is issued by the State. A firearm sale is approved by the Federal Government.
Remember, having a concealed carry and purchasing a weapon are two different things.
A CCW is issued by the State. A firearm sale is approved by the Federal Government.
Only a licensed medical marijuana treatment center is authorized to dispense medical marijuana to qualified patients and their caretakers. Medical marijuana clinics and doctors who prescribe medical marijuana are not allowed to sell it. A list of medical marijuana treatment centers is posted on the Office of Medical Marijuana Use website.
A medical marijuana treatment center (MMTC) is a business licensed by the state of Florida to cultivate, process, and dispense medical marijuana products. Currently there are 12 licensed medical marijuana treatment centers, but not all of them are operating yet.
Florida now allows for access to “whole flower” medicine which includes the ability to smoke Medical Cannabis. The state has added requirements which include additions to the informed consent and a physical discussion with the Doctor as to the hazards of smoking. The state also is asking if other routes have been attempted, and how effective they have been. This may require a short period of time where the other routes are advised initially, and then the “smokable” option added.
No. There are no current provisions in Florida law that allow personal growing of marijuana, even for qualified patients.
Individuals suffering from chronic and debilitating illnesses are eligible to receive medical cannabis within the state of Florida.
To begin the process, a patient must have an in-person visit with a Florida physician who is qualified to recommend medical marijuana. In order to provide certifications to patients, a doctor must have an active, unrestricted medical license and must complete a course issued by the Florida Medical Association.
Once the physician has examined the patient, he or she can qualify (or “certify”) them to be able to purchase medical marijuana. After a patient is certified by a physician they must complete a medical marijuana ID card application with the Department of Health. When the Department approves the patient’s ID card application, the patient is legally then able to visit any of the state’s dispensaries or call a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center to arrange for delivery.
The law requires patients to be re-certified each 210 days, and the physician can certify up to a 70-day supply of cannabis at a time at a maximum daily dose that is yet to be determined by the Department of Health.
To begin the process, a patient must have an in-person visit with a Florida physician who is qualified to recommend medical marijuana. In order to provide certifications to patients, a doctor must have an active, unrestricted medical license and must complete a course issued by the Florida Medical Association.
Once the physician has examined the patient, he or she can qualify (or “certify”) them to be able to purchase medical marijuana. After a patient is certified by a physician they must complete a medical marijuana ID card application with the Department of Health. When the Department approves the patient’s ID card application, the patient is legally then able to visit any of the state’s dispensaries or call a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center to arrange for delivery.
The law requires patients to be re-certified each 210 days, and the physician can certify up to a 70-day supply of cannabis at a time at a maximum daily dose that is yet to be determined by the Department of Health.
No. There is no reciprocity between states’ medical marijuana programs. Just because you have a license in California, Washington, Michigan, or any other state with a medical marijuana program, doesn’t mean you necessarily qualify in Florida.
Different states have different qualification stipulations, but if you’re traveling to a state with a legal medical cannabis program, let us know. We can provide you with a letter of medical necessity signed by your physician that is generally accepted by dispensaries in other states.
What if I am not suffering from a qualifying condition? While ten different debilitating conditions are enumerated within the law, the state Constitution and the established law allows physicians the authority to certify patients who are suffering from “medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated” for which the physician believes the benefits to the patient would outweigh the risk.
Because cannabis has had no instances of fatality, has a small and predictable side effect profile, has very few drug interactions, and has shown promise in the treatment for many different ailments, it is easy for the physician to certify a course of cannabis treatment for a wide variety of illnesses upon examination of the patient and review of the patient’s medical history.
For each medical conditions of the same kind or class or as comparable to, the qualifying physician must send to their respective board:
1. Documentation supporting the qualified physician’s opinion that the medical condition is of the same kind or class as the conditions listed.
2. Documentation that establishes the efficacy of marijuana as treatment for the condition.
3. Documentation supporting the qualified physician’s opinion that the benefits of medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for the patient.
4. Any other documentation as required by board rule. To prove you are a Florida resident, you must present one of the following documents, along with your photo ID:
Copy of your house deed or lease agreement Utility bill no more than two months old State ID or driver’s license Passport
Can I provide you with my existing medical records? Yes, in fact we highly recommend you provide us with as much health information from the past 12 months from your primary care physician and/or specialists as you can. We don’t need labs or diagnostic results, only charted records of your diagnosis.
You can bring these records with you during your initial appointment, or we’ll have you fill out a medical records release when you come in for your appointment that we will fax to your other doctors.
What if I am not suffering from a qualifying condition? While ten different debilitating conditions are enumerated within the law, the state Constitution and the established law allows physicians the authority to certify patients who are suffering from “medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated” for which the physician believes the benefits to the patient would outweigh the risk.
Because cannabis has had no instances of fatality, has a small and predictable side effect profile, has very few drug interactions, and has shown promise in the treatment for many different ailments, it is easy for the physician to certify a course of cannabis treatment for a wide variety of illnesses upon examination of the patient and review of the patient’s medical history.
For each medical conditions of the same kind or class or as comparable to, the qualifying physician must send to their respective board:
1. Documentation supporting the qualified physician’s opinion that the medical condition is of the same kind or class as the conditions listed.
2. Documentation that establishes the efficacy of marijuana as treatment for the condition.
3. Documentation supporting the qualified physician’s opinion that the benefits of medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for the patient.
4. Any other documentation as required by board rule. To prove you are a Florida resident, you must present one of the following documents, along with your photo ID:
Copy of your house deed or lease agreement Utility bill no more than two months old State ID or driver’s license Passport
Can I provide you with my existing medical records? Yes, in fact we highly recommend you provide us with as much health information from the past 12 months from your primary care physician and/or specialists as you can. We don’t need labs or diagnostic results, only charted records of your diagnosis.
You can bring these records with you during your initial appointment, or we’ll have you fill out a medical records release when you come in for your appointment that we will fax to your other doctors.
Qualifying conditions are specified within the state Constitution are as follows:
Cancer.
Epilepsy.
Glaucoma.
Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus.
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Crohn’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease.
Multiple sclerosis.
A Terminal Condition
Chronic Pain*
Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated
*Chronic pain may only be a qualifying condition if the patient has another qualifying condition.
Cancer.
Epilepsy.
Glaucoma.
Positive status for human immunodeficiency virus.
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
Post-traumatic stress disorder.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Crohn’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease.
Multiple sclerosis.
A Terminal Condition
Chronic Pain*
Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated
*Chronic pain may only be a qualifying condition if the patient has another qualifying condition.