The short version
Florida allows licensed physicians to certify medical cannabis patients via telehealth — including first-time certifications. The visit is a 15-to-20-minute video consultation. The physician reviews your history, confirms a qualifying condition, answers your questions, and submits the certification to the state registry during the call.
Most patients walk away from the visit with everything they need to begin shopping at a Florida dispensary within 24 to 72 hours.
What happens, step by step
1. Take the eligibility quiz
Our 60-second quiz asks three questions to confirm you're age-eligible, a Florida resident, and have a qualifying condition. If you pass, we route you to a partner physician group with active Florida licensure.
2. Book a video visit
The physician group will offer you a same-day or next-day slot. Visits are typically available evenings and weekends as well as regular business hours. You'll receive a confirmation email with a video link and instructions.
3. The visit itself
About 15 to 20 minutes. You'll need:
- A device with a camera and microphone (phone, tablet, or laptop)
- A stable internet connection
- Your government-issued ID (Florida driver's license or state ID showing current Florida address)
- Any relevant medical records or prescription history for your qualifying condition (the physician's office can request these on your behalf if you don't have them handy)
The physician will ask about your condition, your symptom history, what you've tried, and what you're hoping cannabis will help with. Be candid — this is a clinical conversation, not a sales pitch.
4. Certification
If the physician determines you qualify, they submit your certification to the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry (MMUR) during or immediately after the visit. The state typically processes the registration within 24 to 72 hours and issues a temporary digital ID.
5. The temporary ID
The temporary ID is valid for purchases at any licensed Florida MMTC immediately upon issuance. You'll receive it by email from the state and can show it on your phone at the dispensary.
6. The physical card
The Florida Department of Health mails the physical card within two to three weeks. Most dispensaries accept the temporary ID indefinitely, but the physical card is required for some transactions (and is generally simpler to carry).
What it costs
Two separate fees:
- State ID card fee: $75 per year, paid to the Florida Department of Health.
- Physician consultation fee: Varies by provider — typically $99–$199 for an initial certification, with renewal visits running $75–$150. Cannabis Miami's partner physicians publish their pricing up front.
Your insurance does not cover the consultation — medical cannabis is not insured under any major US health plan. Most physician offices accept HSA/FSA cards.
Renewals
Florida certifications are good for seven months at a time. Before they expire, you'll need a renewal visit with a qualifying physician — usually shorter than the initial visit (10–15 minutes) and slightly cheaper. You can do renewals via telehealth as well.
A few things to know
- You can only see one Florida-qualifying physician at a time. Switching providers mid-cycle is possible but requires a new evaluation.
- The physician's role is to make a clinical determination. They do not prescribe specific dispensaries or products — that's the role of the dispensary's clinical team once you visit.
- If you have a complicated medical history or are on medications that interact with cannabis, plan to discuss this in detail during the visit.
- Telehealth visits are HIPAA-compliant and recorded only for clinical record-keeping. They are not shared with anyone outside your care team without your written consent.