Looking to Get a Medical Marijuana Prescription for your Ward?
As per Florida Statute 381.986, “A physician is authorized to order low-THC cannabis to treat a qualified patient suffering from cancer or a physical medical condition that chronically produces symptoms of seizures or severe and persistent muscle spasms; order low-THC cannabis to alleviate symptoms of such disease, disorder, or condition, if no other satisfactory alternative treatment options exist for the qualified patient; order medical cannabis to treat an eligible patient as defined in s. 499.0295.”
Florida statute 499.0295, defines an eligible person to be one with a terminal condition, meaning, a person with a “progressive disease or medical or surgical condition that causes significant functional impairment, is not considered by a treating physician to be reversible even with the administration of available treatment options currently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and, without the administration of life-sustaining procedures, will result in death within 1 year after diagnosis if the condition runs its normal course.”
In other words, to determine if your ward qualifies for a prescription, he or she must either be diagnosed with cancer or have a terminal condition in which his or her life is to last no more than 1 year.
To obtain a prescription, the ward must be a Florida resident. The ward must have documentation of either having cancer or a terminal illness from his or her primary care physician to bring to a doctor that is able to prescribe medical marijuana. Not all physicians are licensed to give such prescriptions, so it is important that you find the right doctor for your ward. The ward must be established with the doctor for a period of three months before obtaining a prescription, so you should start the process right away to prevent further delay.
The closest dispensaries to the South Florida area are in Hialeah and Tampa, which provide delivery services. Note, this prescription is not covered by health insurance, so it is important to evaluate the costs when determining if medical marijuana is a good option for your ward. To find the best doctor suitable for your ward’s needs, contact the Florida Department of Health for more information:
Florida Department of Health
Phone: 850-245-4444
Website: www.floridahealth.gov
