Patients often call and ask Chanel our receptionist, “Will I qualify for medical cannabis? What conditions qualify for medical cannabis in Florida? How old do I have to be?”
Hi. I’m Dr. Dan Stein, board-certified neurologist and medical cannabis expert. We’re going to answer that question today and perhaps some other questions you may have. But it’s important to know that when you come into the clinic and pay your hard-earned money, that you’re going to be able to get symptom relief with medication that’s safe and effective.
Here in Florida, there are specific laws about who can acquire medical cannabis therapy and how they are allowed to use it. There’s a list of qualifying conditions, approximately 10 or so, including chronic pain from multiple sclerosis or nerve disease, spinal cord problems, Lou Gehrig’s disease, epilepsy. There’s about 10 different conditions and you can find them listed on our website.
If you have one of those conditions or a condition that’s similar to one of those, for example, patients that have tremor from Parkinson’s disease qualify but also tremor from other causes or anxiety related to mood disorder or anxiety related to post-traumatic stress disorder.
Individuals that have conditions similar to the qualifying conditions can come in and get their therapy started.
You have to be 18 years of age or older or if you’re younger than 18, you can have a parent or guardian come in with you and co-sign on the consent form and get what’s called a caregiver card. So individuals with autism or epilepsy or attention deficit that are younger than 18 can still qualify for cannabis therapy. But a parent or guardian needs to be part of that process.
Once you come in, you will talk with me about your condition. Medical records are extremely helpful and then I enter the information to the computer, so the folks in Tallahassee can approve the application and get you your cannabis card.
So in summary, there are about 10 different conditions that can qualify you for medical use of cannabis here in Florida including the one codicil that says any other condition that’s similar to one of those 10. That gives us quite a bit of wiggle room.
So if you’re interested in knowing if you qualify, please call Chanel at 941-400-1211 or email us at info@neurologyofcannabis.com. We’re happy to answer your questions. Call anytime. I’m Dr. Dan Stein. Thank you for watching.