By Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix
In Summary
A bill introduced in the Florida Legislature would reduce how often Florida medical marijuana patients must be recertified by a physician, extending the requirement from roughly every seven months to once every two years. The legislation would also allow doctors to prescribe significantly larger supply limits of medical cannabis and waive state registration fees for honorably discharged military veterans.
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Florida medical marijuana patients, now required to have a physician certify that they are qualified to remain in the state’s prescription program about every seven months, would have that requirement relaxed to just once every two years under a bill introduced by a Republican lawmaker this week.
The legislation (SB 1032) by Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami, also would allow doctors to significantly increase the supply limits that qualified doctors can prescribe to patients. The bill would allow doctors to issue certifications for up to 10 70-day supply limits of smokable medical marijuana, rather than three. Doctors could also issue up to 20 35-day supply limits instead of the existing six.
The proposal would waive the $75 registration and annual renewal fees to receive a medical marijuana ID card for any military veteran honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.
A similar measure (HB 719) was filed in the House last month by Rep. Bill Partington, R-Ormond Beach. His bill would go further by requiring the Florida Department of Health to establish reciprocity agreements allowing patients from other states to qualify for a registration card “within one business day.”
Related: After lawsuit pressure, Florida advances marijuana amendment toward 2026 ballot.
Partington’s bill also would allow doctors to recommend medical cannabis via telehealth visits for initial consultations. Existing Florida law allows telehealth visits only when patients have their cards renewed.
There are 929,655 medical marijuana patients in Florida, according to the Office of Medical Marijuana Use. To remain in the program, each patient must renew his or her ID card with the state every 12 months for $75 per clip. They must renew certification by their doctors every 210 days, or approximately seven months from the date the physician certifies. Those fees vary by clinic and location across the state, generally ranging from $100 to $200.
Key Points:
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Senate Bill 1032 would allow physician certifications for medical marijuana to remain valid for two years instead of the current 210-day requirement.
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The bill would increase prescription limits, allowing doctors to certify up to 10 70-day supplies of smokable marijuana or 20 35-day supplies, up from current caps.
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Registration and annual renewal fees for medical marijuana ID cards would be waived for honorably discharged U.S. military veterans.
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A companion House bill, HB 719, filed by Bill Partington, R-Ormond Beach, includes provisions for interstate reciprocity and expanded telehealth access.
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Florida currently has 929,655 registered medical marijuana patients, according to the Office of Medical Marijuana Use, with patients paying $75 annually to the state plus physician fees that typically range from $100 to $200.
