My neighbor went to a doctor in Orlando, paid $250 and saw some fellow on a TV screen. Answered a few questions and now has weed delivered to his CYV legally by a dispensary in Lady Lake.
Could you qualify for a Florida medical marijuana card? What you should know
Sun Sentinel - June 20, 2019
More than 300,000 Florida residents have qualified for a medical marijuana card since the state legalized its use for certain health conditions. Do you think you might qualify?
Here’s some advice from certified medical marijuana clinics and doctors about what you should know before seeking a recommendation for medical marijuana treatment.
How do I find a certified doctor?
The state has made it simple: Go to the “Physician’s Search Tool” on Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use site to find a doctor that has taken the state required training and is certified.
There are more than 2,300 Florida doctors in specialties including family care, oncology, gynecology and dermatology who are on the list, broken down by county.
There also are dedicated medical marijuana clinics that have certified doctors.
Still, further checking on the selected doctor is always a good idea.
The state site’s search tool will tell you whether the doctor’s license is “clear and active,” which means the doctor doesn’t have any disciplinary action or public complaints against him or her in Florida.
For a full search on a doctor practicing in Florida, go to the Department of Health’s site.
You also should consider how extensive of a consultation you want, because there are all kinds.
Do you want a doctor who will treat you on an ongoing basis to monitor marijuana’s effectiveness on your health condition? Or do you want the quickest path to a medical marijuana card? There are trade-offs that may involve costs and your health.
Dr. Anthony Hall, a certified medical marijuana doctor and neurologist in Lauderhill, says consumers need to be aware that a medical marijuana treatment appointment is for a “medical examination.” He says some people expect a five-minute survey and they’ll be signed up for a card.
“There’s going to be a full medical history and examinations. I look at images and lab results,” he says.
Dr. Paul Weisman, a former emergency room doctor who now focuses on medical marijuana treatment, says patients often look him up for help after they’ve obtained a card.
“I have tremendous amount of people call me after they’re certified. They didn’t know what to do,” says Weisman, a qualified doctor who provides medical marijuana treatment under the name of Concierge Cannabis Centers in Plantation, Boca Raton and Wellington. He also travels to some patients’ homes.
Weisman says his goal is to treat patients so they can live their “highest quality life."
Some patients find they are sensitive to THC, or or tetrahydrocannabinol — the chemical responsible for the euphoric sensation or “high."
“No two people are the same. And we change every day, from an additional injury or recovering from an injury or illness,” he says.
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