Florida Medical Marijuana FAQ

TriVerde helps qualified Florida patients with medical marijuana certification, renewals, transfers, state card assistance, renewal reminders, education, and ongoing white-glove support.

We do not sell cannabis, and we are not owned by a dispensary. Our role is to help patients understand the medical certification process, the state card process, the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry, and appropriate next steps.

TriVerde Health & Wellness is located in downtown St. Petersburg at 31 Beach Drive SE, Suite 31, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Call or text: 727-322-4588.

Yes. To qualify for the Florida medical marijuana program, a patient must be a permanent Florida resident or a qualifying seasonal Florida resident, be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a qualified physician, be entered into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry, and obtain a Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card.

Yes. Seasonal Florida residents may qualify if they meet Florida residency requirements and can provide the required proof of Florida residency.

TriVerde can help seasonal residents understand what proof may be needed before the appointment and during the state card process.

Florida law lists qualifying medical conditions that include cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, PTSD, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those listed, terminal conditions, and chronic nonmalignant pain.

Possibly. Florida allows a qualified physician to evaluate certain medical conditions that are of the same kind or class as, or comparable to, the listed qualifying conditions.

The physician must review your medical history and determine whether you qualify under Florida law. TriVerde cannot guarantee qualification before the physician evaluation.

Medical records are helpful, but not every patient has easy access to them. Helpful information may include diagnosis history, physician notes, imaging reports, medication lists, surgical history, pain-management records, mental-health records, or records showing chronic symptoms.

The physician must complete a medical history review and determine whether your condition qualifies.

Yes. Florida requires an in-person physical examination before a physician may issue an initial medical marijuana certification. The physician must be physically present in the same room as the patient for the initial certification.

Yes, in many cases. Florida allows renewal examinations by telehealth after a qualified physician has already issued a certification to that patient following an in-person physical examination.

No. If you are changing qualified physicians, the new physician must conduct an in-person physical examination first. After that in-person visit with the new physician, future renewals may be eligible for telehealth.

Your physician certification is the doctor’s authorization entered into the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry. Your state card is the Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card issued through the Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use, often called OMMU.

TriVerde helps patients understand and track both timelines: the physician certification timeline and the annual state card timeline.

A qualified physician may issue up to three 70-day supply limits for medical marijuana, commonly referred to as a 210-day certification. Smoking orders are handled in 35-day supply limits.

The Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card is renewed annually. The expiration date appears on the front of the card. Patients and caregivers may begin the renewal process within the 45-day window before the card expires.

The state application fee is separate from TriVerde’s physician fee. The state fee is paid to the Florida Department of Health/OMMU. Online payment may include a convenience fee.

Online applications often take approximately 10 business days for state approval, although timing can vary. Paper applications may take longer because of mailing and processing time.

TriVerde’s white-glove support helps patients understand the state process, renewal timing, proof of residency, payment steps, and common issues that can delay approval.

Sometimes the state system cannot automatically match a patient’s information through the Florida driver license or ID system. If that happens, additional proof of residency may be needed.

TriVerde can help patients understand what the state is asking for and what documents may help resolve the issue.

Please bring a valid Florida driver license or Florida ID, or seasonal residency documents if applicable.

Helpful items may include relevant medical records, a medication list, diagnosis history, imaging reports, physician notes, phone and email access for state and registry steps, and any questions you want to ask. You may also bring a caregiver, spouse, adult child, or trusted support person if you would like help.

Most visits are efficient, but TriVerde does not want patients to feel rushed. New patient visits include review, physician evaluation, education, and next-step guidance. Renewal visits are often shorter, especially when the patient is already established.

Yes. TriVerde is physician-led. The certification decision is made by a qualified physician.

Yes. TriVerde helps patients track both the physician certification renewal and the annual state card renewal. These are two different timelines, and many patients accidentally confuse them.

Yes. If you are already in the Florida medical marijuana program and want to transfer to TriVerde, we can help. A transfer to a new qualified physician requires an in-person examination first, but future renewals may be eligible for telehealth.

Yes. Many TriVerde patients are older adults who want clear guidance, a slower pace, education, and help with the state process. We are comfortable helping seniors, caregivers, spouses, adult children, and family members understand the steps.

Yes. TriVerde welcomes veterans. Qualification is still determined by the physician under Florida law after reviewing the patient’s medical history and documentation.

Yes. TriVerde welcomes LGBTQ+ patients, spouses, partners, caregivers, and chosen family. Our goal is to provide respectful, private, and judgment-free care.

The endocannabinoid system, often called the ECS, is a natural signaling system in the body. It is involved in many functions, including pain, mood, appetite, sleep, memory, inflammation, and balance within the body.

Many patients come to medical cannabis with little or no experience. Understanding the ECS gives patients a better foundation for conversations with their physician and licensed medical professionals.

Cannabinoids are active compounds found in the cannabis plant. The best-known cannabinoids include THC and CBD. Different medical cannabis products may contain different cannabinoid profiles, and patients should discuss questions with appropriate licensed professionals.

Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis and many other plants. They help create the smell and flavor of different cannabis products and may contribute to the overall patient experience.

Product response can vary by patient, so patients should avoid making medical decisions based only on names, labels, or broad categories.

Dispensaries often use the terms indica, sativa, and hybrid to describe broad product categories. These labels are not perfect, and modern cannabis products are often complex. Patient response can vary based on many factors.

TriVerde does not sell cannabis and does not push one product or dispensary. Patients should discuss product-specific questions with licensed professionals.

Routes of administration are the approved categories a physician may authorize in the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry as part of the physician certification.

Patients should contact TriVerde with questions about their Registry order or whether a route question should be reviewed by the physician.

If a route is missing from your Registry order, contact TriVerde. We can review whether the question should be discussed with the physician.

Route changes may be reviewed when medically appropriate and authorized by the physician. TriVerde can help established patients understand whether a route question should be reviewed.

No. TriVerde does not sell cannabis, and patients are not required to use any specific dispensary.

RFE means Request for Exception. In Florida, a qualified physician may request an exception to certain limits when medically appropriate. The request must be submitted electronically and include required medical information.

Yes. TriVerde can help patients understand whether an RFE discussion with the physician may be appropriate. An RFE is not automatic and must be reviewed by the physician.

No. Florida does not allow qualified patients or caregivers to cultivate marijuana.

No. Florida law restricts medical marijuana use in public places, vehicles, aircraft, boats, school buses, school grounds, and certain workplaces. Patients should follow Florida law and facility policies.

Do not drive impaired. Medical marijuana may affect coordination, motor skills, reaction time, and judgment. A Florida medical marijuana card does not protect anyone from impaired driving laws.

Yes. Patients should keep medical marijuana in its original packaging and follow all state rules regarding possession, use, and transport.

Yes. Florida’s medical marijuana law does not limit an employer’s ability to maintain or enforce a drug-free workplace policy. It also does not require an employer to accommodate medical marijuana use in the workplace.

Medical information is handled through appropriate medical and registry systems. The Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry is used by physicians, patients, caregivers, MMTCs, and authorized entities to verify authorization and dispensing.

Medical marijuana is available in Florida under Florida law. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Patients should consider this when dealing with federal property, employment policies, travel, housing, firearms, and other legal issues.

Yes, for qualified patients when the physician determines that smoking is an appropriate route and the required documentation and consent steps are completed.

Florida generally limits dispensing to no more than one 35-day supply of marijuana in a form for smoking within any 35-day period. A 35-day supply may not exceed 2.5 ounces unless an exception is approved by the Department.

Florida generally limits patient possession of smokable marijuana to the greater of 4 ounces or an amount approved by the Department through an exception.

Florida places special restrictions on smokable marijuana for patients under 18. A patient under 18 may not receive a smoking certification unless specific legal requirements are met, including a terminal condition and required physician concurrence.

A caregiver is a person registered in the Medical Marijuana Use Registry to assist a qualified patient with the patient’s medical use of marijuana.

A caregiver generally must be at least 21 years old, be a Florida resident, agree in writing to assist the patient, be registered in the Registry, complete required caregiver training, and meet state requirements.

In some situations, yes, but the caregiver must meet state requirements and be properly registered.

Yes. TriVerde can explain the general caregiver process and point families toward the appropriate state steps.

White-glove service means we try to make the process easier from start to finish. That may include appointment guidance, forms, state card assistance, renewal reminders, transfer help, route questions, and ongoing support.

Patients choose TriVerde because they want education, reminders, personal service, physician-led care, and a team that helps them understand both the medical and state registry process.

Yes. TriVerde continues helping patients after the visit with state card questions, renewal timing, route questions, transfer support, and general guidance.

That is very common. Many patients are brand new and want to understand how the program works. TriVerde helps patients feel comfortable, informed, and not rushed.

Call or text TriVerde at 727-322-4588. You may also visit www.TriVerde.com.