A Guide to Renewing Your Florida Medical Marijuana Card

The Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) reported on May 24, 2024, that there were 882,407 residents with an active Florida medical cannabis card. There are also 635 active dispensaries cultivating, processing, and retailing products to Florida patients.

Getting your medical card is the first step; maintaining it requires steps to recertify your recommendations every 210 days (or approximately seven months). For patients certified by DocMJ, renewal of Florida medical cannabis certifications is easy, with a telemedicine appointment or an in-person appointment.

DocMJ is always ready to help patients, and we provide helpful reminders about scheduling a recertification appointment with one of our friendly physicians. Here are some essential things you need to know about renewing your Florida medical marijuana card.

How Often Must You Update Your Medical Cannabis Recommendations?

In the Sunshine State, a medical marijuana card has an expiration day of twelve (12) months after it has been issued. That can sometimes confuse patients, who believe they only need to recertify annually. Your card expires after twelve months, but you must attend follow-up appointments to remain active on the OMMU patient registry.

Florida law requires that all medical marijuana patients consult with a cannabis healthcare provider every 210 days or seven months to remain a registered patient. Patients must schedule an appointment with a certified physician to review symptoms, changes in prescription medications, and other important information. The recertification appointment is a check-in with a licensed physician to see how you are doing, and whether cannabis is helping you achieve your wellness goals.   It is also a good opportunity to ask your cannabis healthcare provider any questions you may have.

Why Do I Have to Renew My Recommendations?

The medical cannabis program in Florida requires recertification more often than in other states, which have a one-year recertification requirement. Some people find completing a recertification appointment every seven months more arduous than completing one annually. However, there are some reasons why the requirement supports safe and responsible use.

Florida patients with chronic or long-term health conditions can find that their condition and symptoms change over time. In some cases, symptoms may be better managed and improved, but for many patients who use medical marijuana, other diagnoses or complications may also develop.

Health officials, public health services, and lawmakers feel that it is essential that patients using doctor-supervised cannabis ‘check in’ with their certifying physician to help reduce risks of drug interactions and other potential risks associated with using cannabis products therapeutically.

Using Telemedicine to Complete your Florida MMJ Card Renewal

During COVID-19, most non-critical or life-threatening health services migrated to telemedicine for apparent reasons. Social distancing and pandemic safety policies dictated that telemedicine or online appointments were safer than visiting a Florida doctor in person. That was true for medical cannabis certifications as well.

However, after the pandemic emergency passed, the requirement for in-person appointments for Florida patients returned. On May 4, 2023, Florida Governor Ron Desantis signed HB 387. This law permanently allowed the use of telehealth for medical marijuana recertification. It went into effect on July 1, 2023.

When renewing your Florida medical cannabis recommendations, you have a new option.  Patients can schedule an online telehealth appointment if they return to the physician who initially certified them for medical cannabis. Patients can only use telemedicine appointments to renew their recommendations if they have an established relationship with the physician (or the doctor has met in person with them before). So, if you like your certifying physician, like Jack Rothman, MD, you can continue to renew at home and online, after your initial appointment.

What Happens If a Florida Medical Marijuana Card Expires?

A Florida cannabis card has an expiration day of twelve (12) months after it has been issued. That can sometimes confuse patients, who believe they only need to recertify annually. Florida law requires that all patients consult with a cannabis healthcare provider to update their medical cannabis recommendations every 210 days or seven months to remain a registered patient.

Let’s say you are traveling or you have simply forgotten to schedule your appointment to update your medical cannabis health recommendation. The moment your recommendations have expired, it is illegal for dispensaries to sell cannabis products to you. You will not be permitted to purchase medicinal cannabis products from any Florida dispensary.

Your medical cannabis recommendation (and valid Florida medical card) gives you the legal right to purchase, possess, and use products within the guidelines and restrictions provided in the state. Don’t let your medical cannabis recommendations expire. Contact DocMJ and request a priority appointment. Same-day appointments may be available.

Identification and Documents You Will Need for Medical Marijuana Card Renewal

Before you visit the website to renew your medical marijuana card, you will need to make sure you have additional information ready. Save the information on your phone or desktop to make it easy to upload and renew your Florida medicinal cannabis card.

You will need the following information to renew your medical marijuana card in Florida:

• Photo identification.
• Passport-style photo (if you do not have a driver’s license photo).
• Proof of state residency status (utility bill, government letter, or other official mail showing your name and Florida address).
• Payment method (credit or debit card). If your address or legal name changes during the year, you must update your information on the OMMU website before your MMJ card renewal.

If your address or legal name changes during the year, before your renewal deadline, you must log into your patient profile and update that information. All patients with medical cards must keep their contact information updated and correct for the medical marijuana registry.

How to Renew Your Florida Medical Marijuana Card Step-By-Step

After you have received a medical cannabis recommendation, the identification card given to approved medical marijuana registrants in Florida is administered by The Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use. The I.D. card is valid for one year from the patient’s initial approval date. For the patient’s convenience, the OMMU has printed the expiration date on the I.D. card underneath the patient’s date of birth.

Patients can renew their medical cannabis card up to forty-five (45) days before the expiration date. A $75.00 cost is payable to the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), plus a transaction convenience fee. The OMMU states that renewal requests can take up to ten days to process.

If renewing online, follow the following directions for a stress-free experience:

1. On your smartphone, laptop, desktop, or other browser-friendly electronic device, open https://mmuregistry.flhealth.gov/Public/LogIn.
2. Log into your account by entering your Username and Password.
3. If you have forgotten your password, click “Forgot Password?” underneath the login button and enter your email address. You will then receive a temporary password in your email inbox that can be used to log into your account.
4. Once logged in, the next step is to navigate to the “Your Card” menu option at the top of the page to view your current, approved identification card application.
5. Click the “Renew My Application” button underneath your personal demographic information to open a renewal application. The option is only available 45 days before the expiration date. If your previous card is still valid, renewing it will not affect your ability to obtain products.
6. Click “Renew” to confirm.

The photograph is pulled directly from your Florida Driver’s License or Florida Identification card. If the picture from your Florida Driver’s License or Florida Identification card does not automatically show up, please contact DocMJ to confirm your physician has entered your Social Security Number and Date of Birth correctly.

1. Click “Upload File” and supply a new copy of your Florida Driver’s License or Florida Identification card directly from your computer or mobile device.
2. Electronically sign your application by scrolling to the bottom of the page to the Signature section and typing in your first and last names in the boxes provided.
3. Next, click on the “Submit My Card Application.” A pop-up will appear advising that the application is incomplete until payment is received.
4. Click “Close.”

To Process Your Medical Card Renewal Fees

1. Have your payment method ready, then click the “Click Here to Pay Online,” button which will appear after submitting your card application.
2. You will see a new window containing the Bill2Pay interface that will pop up for you to supply your payment information. Payments by e-check and credit card are accepted. A convenience fee is applied to each online payment.

You can also send your payment by cashier check or money order, made payable to the Florida Department of Health. You can mail your payment to the following address:

Florida Department of Health ATTN:

Office of Medical Marijuana Use

P.O. BOX 31313

Tampa, FL 33631-3313

After finalizing the payment, print the confirmation for your records. *You can check the status of your application as it is reviewed. Click here for screenshots and additional information about renewing your Florida medical card.

You may continue to use your current Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification Card until its expiration date.

Checking the Status of Your Renewal Application

It is important to check the status of your renewal. Remember that your renewal application history page contains updated information. It is essential to check that you have provided all required documents and that your transaction was accepted.

You can check your medical card renewal status online with the Office of Medical Marijuana Use. Review the Card Status Icons to identify the status of your renewal application.

If you have any questions, you can contact the OMMU by telephone at (800) 808-9580 or email: [email protected].

What Happens If I Cannot Be Certified For a Florida MMJ Card?

There are some patients who may not receive a medical cannabis recommendation. The doctor will review the patient’s current symptoms, prescription medications, diagnoses, and health history. Marijuana doctors at DocMJ are experienced and knowledgeable. Their first priority is to make sure that access to cannabis is safe for patients.

Some patients may be taking prescription medications that are contraindicated (or conflict) with cannabis. There are also some health conditions where cannabis may cause health complications. Certification (or recertification) for an MMJ card is not guaranteed.

If you are not able to be certified for an MMJ card, DocMJ has a 100% money-back guarantee, and you will receive a full refund 3-5 business days after your appointment.

New Telemedicine Appointment For Recertifying Patients

Remember, patients who return to their certifying physician for recertification can now schedule a telemedicine appointment. Get recertified by returning to the doctor you know and trust for expert suggestions about using medical marijuana.

Explore a new approach that may help you improve symptom management and realize your personal wellness goals. Schedule an appointment today with one of our friendly and understanding medical marijuana doctors at DocMJ.

Remember, if you cannot be certified by one of our knowledgeable doctors, you will receive a full refund, thanks to our money-back guarantee.

Dr. Jack Rothman

Dr. Rothman is a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  He has received multiple special awards and recognitions, including Physician of the Year, from the Pinellas County Medical Association (2014 – 2015) and the President’s Service Award from the Pinellas County Medical Society.

He attended medical school at State University of New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York, where he also completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency. In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Rothman’s professional career includes being an Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida and Clinical Instructor at the University of Tampa’s College of Nursing.

Dr. Rothman received his Florida Medical Marijuana Physicians Certification in 2016 and was one of the first recommending physicians through DocMJ in the state and is loved by many of those early patients today.