Access to marijuana in Florida has come a long way since it was first approved for medicinal use in 2016. While recreational use still has not been legalized here, there are over 450 medical marijuana dispensary locations throughout the state. Citizens and snowbirds can quickly get approved for their medical marijuana card by visiting a qualified marijuana doctor, so what’s up with the so-called “recreational dispensaries” that keep popping up across the map?
Don’t Be Fooled
If you search for dispensaries near you, you might notice a few locations that advertise that you do not need a medical marijuana recommendation to shop there. However, according to Florida state law, a person must be approved by a state-qualified Medical Marijuana Doctor and the Office of Medical Marijuana Use before legally obtaining cannabis products. So how are these “recreational dispensaries” appearing everywhere?
In most cases, the companies advertising that there is no medical card needed to purchase THC products are hemp CBD stores. However, in recent years, they have begun selling products that contain other forms of THC known as Delta-8 THC, Delta-10 THC, and THC-O. While these are all legitimate variations of THC, they are all extracted from hemp plants. Therefore, they must undergo a chemical change to convert to those other forms. This can be potentially dangerous to consumers because the hemp industry is unregulated, and the rules are not as strict as medical cannabis, resulting in potentially harmful products being brought to market.
There have been several studies that have found contaminants in delta-8 THC products. One particular study carried out by the US Cannabis Council revealed that not only do they contain vastly varying amounts of delta-8 THC, but they also have illegal quantities of Delta-9 THC, as well as heavy metals and pesticides. Lead, copper, chromium, nickel, acetone, methanol, and isopropanol were all found within 16 product samples tested.
Since inhaling or consuming heavy metals and chemicals has been proven to be harmful, a few states are beginning to pass legislation that outlaws the production and sale of delta-8 and similar products. For example, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Colorado have passed stricter regulations or even outlawed delta-8 completely.
Get Medical Marijuana Easily
If you’ve gotten this far in the article, you’re probably curious about the different ways you could benefit from trying actual medical marijuana. Florida, it’s pretty simple. To be eligible for a recommendation from a cannabis doctor, you must have been previously diagnosed with an approved medical condition. To see if you pre-qualify, you can take this two-minute survey. The approved conditions include but are not limited to chronic pain, PTSD, cancer, arthritis, and gastrointestinal issues.
Once you pre-qualify, you can set up an in-person visit with a state-certified Marijuana Doctor and be approved by the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use on the same day. This will make you eligible to purchase products from state-approved dispensaries that have undergone rigorous testing and approval processes, unlike over-the-counter delta-8 products. You can find products such as whole flower, vape cartridges, edibles, tinctures, lotions, and even transdermal patches, all in various dosages for your individual needs.
In case you are unsure about which products to use, it’s always best to consult with your physician before trying something new. To set up a risk-free appointment with a qualified doctor to get your medical marijuana recommendation, visit this website and click “book now.” After being approved, patients now receive same-day approvals from the department of health and can immediately purchase from a dispensary.
Aaron Bloom, an experienced healthcare attorney, serves as the CEO of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers, where he has overseen the organizations’ mission and growth since 2016. In addition to his leadership roles, Aaron serves on the Board of Directors for Waterfall Bank, bringing his expertise in healthcare, compliance, and strategic growth to the financial services sector.
Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives stems from more than 20 years of owning, operating, and representing traditional healthcare organizations. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to finding better ways to relieve suffering and expand access to innovative, patient-centered care. As CEO, Aaron works each day to help patients achieve better health and wellness through the therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis and other evidence-based alternative medicines.