The complete guide to cannabis in Jacksonville

Recreational cannabis is strictly illegal in Florida. However, Jacksonville residents who have certain health conditions may qualify for legalized use through Florida’s medical cannabis program.

Continue reading to learn about cannabis laws in Jacksonville and how to access safe, high-quality cannabis products legally.

Key takeaways

Here’s what to know about medical cannabis in Jacksonville:

• Legal age: State-registered medical cannabis users must be at least 18 years old to purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries, known as medical marijuana treatment centers. Users under 18 must have a state-registered caregiver to access cannabis on their behalf.
• Possession limits: State-approved medical users can possess up to 4 ounces (oz) of cannabis products.
• Cultivation: Growing cannabis on private property is illegal in Jacksonville, even for state-approved medical users.

Florida cannabis laws

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Florida. This means that anyone caught possessing cannabis without a state-issued medical card may face criminal charges, including fines and jail time.

That said, Florida residents who have been diagnosed with certain qualifying health conditions can apply for the state’s medical cannabis program, known as the Medical Marijuana Use Registry.

Even with a state-issued medical card, it’s illegal to consume cannabis in public. This means you can only legally consume medical cannabis in a private residence, such as your home.

Recreational cannabis laws in Jacksonville

In Florida, it’s strictly illegal to purchase, possess, or use cannabis recreationally.

Possession of up to 20 grams (g) of cannabis without a state-issued medical card is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Possession of higher amounts can lead to felony charges that may result in higher penalties.

Medical cannabis laws in Jacksonville

In 2016, Florida legalized medical cannabis. As a result, any Florida resident who is diagnosed with one of the state’s qualifying health conditions can get a doctor’s recommendation and apply to legally access cannabis through the Medical Marijuana Use Registry.

Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a state-issued medical cannabis card. This can be used to make purchases from licensed dispensaries, known in Florida as marijuana treatment centers.

Florida also allows caregivers to access medical cannabis on behalf of a minor diagnosed with a qualifying health condition. Caregivers must also apply through the Medical Marijuana Use Registry.

These medical cannabis laws apply to Jacksonville residents:

• Medical cardholders in Florida may possess up to 4 oz of cannabis products at a time.
• Florida does not have restrictions around specific cannabis products, but you must get a separate doctor’s recommendation to legally purchase and consume cannabis flower.
• Even if you have a medical card, growing your own cannabis at home is illegal in Florida.
• Driving while intoxicated is a serious crime in Florida that can result in fines, jail time, and suspension of your driver’s license, even for medical cardholders.
• While some states offer job protection laws to medical cannabis cardholders, Florida does not. This means you may lose your job if you test positive for cannabis in a drug screening, regardless of your medical cardholder status.
• Florida law prohibits medical cardholders from obtaining a gun permit.
• Growing your own cannabis on private property is illegal, even if you have a medical card.

How to get medical marijuana in Jacksonville

The only way to access cannabis legally in Jacksonville is by obtaining a medical cannabis card.

To register with Florida’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry, you’ll need:

• A state-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license
• A written medical cannabis recommendation from a licensed physician

Finding a doctor

To register with Florida’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry, you must first obtain a cannabis recommendation from a licensed physician. This document states your diagnosis and your physician’s approval to use medical cannabis for treatment.

Not all doctors in Jacksonville offer cannabis recommendations. Florida also does not recognize initial cannabis recommendations made through telehealth services, so you must visit a doctor in person to get this done.

To get certified in person, consider attending one of Leafwell’s free pop-up clinics that take place across the state. This way, you can meet with a licensed physician and get a medical cannabis recommendation for free.

Once your doctor submits your cannabis recommendation to the state, you can complete the rest of your application with the Medical Marijuana Use Registry. This involves a $75 registration fee.

Once your application is approved, usually within a couple hours of registering, you should receive a digital ID number via email. You can use this ID number to purchase cannabis from any medical marijuana treatment centers in Florida.

Within about 10 business days, you should receive your physical medical cannabis card in the mail.

Qualifying conditions

To qualify for medical cannabis in Jacksonville, you must be diagnosed with at least one of the following health conditions:

• AIDS/HIV
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Crohn’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the medical marijuana certification
• Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those above

Can an out-of-state medical marijuana patient purchase medical cannabis in Jacksonville?

Florida does not recognize out-of-state medical cannabis cards. If you’re visiting from another state, you cannot purchase medical cannabis at a marijuana treatment center in Jacksonville.

Dispensaries in Jacksonville

• Curaleaf (9760 San Jose Blvd & 6361 103rd St): Curaleaf is known for their large selection of medical cannabis products, including flower, vaporizers, edibles, tinctures, and more.
• MUV (1550 Hendricks Ave St. 4): MUV carries a wide variety of high-quality products and offers great deals on medical cannabis.
• Sunnyside (2725 College St): Sunnyside offers an array of cannabis products, including premium flower strains, concentrates, and vaporizers.

Tips for buying cannabis in Jacksonville

Once you’ve been approved for medical cannabis in Jacksonville, consider these tips:

• Find a medical marijuana treatment center: Cannabis products sold outside of licensed medical marijuana treatment centers may not meet proper safety and quality standards.
• Bring your card and ID: To make a purchase at any medical marijuana treatment center, you must show your state-issued medical cannabis card and a state-issued photo ID, like a driver’s license.
• Speak with experts: If you’re new to medical cannabis, consider asking an expert for help. A a Leafwell provider can offer personalized guidance on products and dosages.
• Compare prices: Some dispensaries may charge more for your favorite products than others. Shop around to find what works best for your budget.
• Check local laws: Cannabis laws in Jacksonville and throughout Florida are evolving. Stay up to date with local laws to avoid potential legal issues.

Resources

• 2023 Florida statutes (including 2023C). https://www.flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2023/893.13
• CS for CS for CS for SB 182. https://static-s3.lobbytools.com/bills/2019/pdf/0182E1.pdf
• Florida laws and penalties. https://norml.org/laws/florida-penalties/
• Medical Marijuana Use Registry. https://mmuregistry.flhealth.gov/Public/LogIn
• Office of Medical Marijuana Use: Florida’s official source for responsible use. https://flboardofmedicine.gov/forms/know-facts-about-qualified-physicians.pdf

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