Renew Your MMJ Card in Florida: A Step-By-Step Guide
If you’re the holder of a Florida medical marijuana card, first things first: We’d like to congratulate you! As one of nearly 1,000,000 Floridians who hold a medical marijuana card, you’re pioneering the use of this all-natural, plant medicine alternative to opioids, benzodiazepines, and other pharmaceuticals.
If you’re the holder of a Florida medical marijuana card, first things first: We’d like to congratulate you! As one of nearly 1,000,000 Floridians who hold a medical marijuana card, you’re pioneering the use of this all-natural, plant medicine alternative to opioids, benzodiazepines, and other pharmaceuticals.
But unlike these other drugs, in order to guarantee continued access to medical marijuana (MMJ), you need to be sure your card is up to date. In today’s post, we’ll share everything you need to know about Florida MMJ card renewal, including the timeline, necessary administrative steps, and anything else you need in order to maintain access to this game-changing medication.
By the article’s end, you’ll be well-informed and well-positioned to maintain access to the relief you need.
Are you ready? Let’s start.
Florida Medical Marijuana Cards: The Basics
Thanks to forward-thinking state regulations, the process for obtaining a Florida MMJ card is relatively straightforward: Once a physician certifies that you suffer from one or more of Florida’s Qualifying Conditions for medical marijuana, they’ll enter your information into the medical marijuana use registry.
Unless you use a service such as Sun Jane—which is designed to make the application process as smooth, seamless, and user-friendly as possible—you’ll need to go online to complete the registration application, including uploading all the correct documents and providing proof of residency. There’s an annual fee for cardholders of $75; once your Florida medical marijuana card is active, it’s valid for twelve months (one year).
MMJ Card Renewal: When Should I Start the Renewal Process?
As we noted earlier, while most medications typically don’t require anything more than a doctor’s written prescription, MMJ is a bit different in that it requires state approval before you can access cannabis medicines. It’s an unusual arrangement that, unfortunately, raises the possibility that some patients might be denied access to their medication because their Florida medical marijuana card has expired.
Because processing the paperwork for a medical marijuana card renewal can take a little time, we strongly suggest you begin the renewal process as soon as the window to renew has opened, which is 45 days before the expiration date.
In addition, to keep your medical marijuana card active, you must see your physician at least once every 210 days (roughly 7 months). This is called a “recertification visit,” and it can typically be performed remotely via telehealth.
Renew Your Florida MMJ Card: Step-by-Step Instructions
Fortunately, the process of renewing your Florida medical marijuana card is relatively straightforward. Here are the steps you’ll need to take:
Step 1: Log into the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry here. If you don’t remember your password, you can always reset it by clicking the Forgot Password option on the login page.
Step 2: If you’re using a smartphone, click the “MENU” button located either at the bottom center or top right of your screen. Next, navigate to the “YOUR CARD” option at the top of the page. If you’re using your computer, you can select the “YOUR CARD” menu option at the top of the page. This link will lead you to your Application History page, where you will see your current, approved identification card application.
Step 3: Click “BEGIN RENEWAL” to start your renewal application. The number of days until you can begin a new renewal application will be listed on this page. The window for renewing your card begins 45 days before its expiration date.
Step 4: You should see a box labeled “Manage Card Application,” click “PROCEED.”
Step 5: Review all of your data to ensure it is 100% accurate. Then click “APPLY.”
Step 6: You’ll see a confirmation message that you will be updating your Card Application with the information shown, then click “APPLY” to confirm.
Step 7: Click “SUPPLY A PHOTO” to use either your Florida State ID photo or to provide your own passport-style photo for the application.
Step 8: Next, a prompt will appear for you to either “CHECK STATE ID PHOTO” or “SUPPLY MY OWN.” Clicking “CHECK STATE ID PHOTO” will upload your driver’s license photo from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) demographic database. Clicking “SUPPLY MY OWN” will allow you to upload a photo from your own phone or computer.
Using the FLHSMV-sourced data will automatically approve the photo, which may cut down on the processing time! If you want to supply your own photo ID, you can get a step-by-step guide on uploading a photo from your computer here.
Step 9: Read the confirmation message confirming you want to check for a state ID photo, and then click “PROCEED.”
Step 10: Next, you’ll upload your proof of residency by scrolling down to the section titled “PROOF OF RESIDENCE” and then clicking “SUPPLY PROOF.”
Step 11: Click “CHECK STATE RESIDENCY STATUS” to use your driver's license or Florida State ID from FLHSMV. If you want to upload your photo ID, click “SUPPLY MY OWN” and provide another valid Florida identification card. Select the file you wish to upload and click “OPEN.” You’ll see the document appear below the “SUPPLY PROOF” button.
Step 12: A confirmation box will open. Click “PROCEED.”
Step 13: Review all of your data to ensure it is 100% accurate. Then click “APPLY.”
Step 14: Next, you need to electronically sign your application. Scroll to the bottom of the page to the “Signature” section and type your first and last name into the boxes provided.
Step 15: Click “SUBMIT MY CARD APPLICATION.” You should see a pop-up informing you that the application is incomplete until payment is received. Click “CLOSE” to continue and enter your payment details.
Step 16: To pay, click the “CLICK HERE TO PAY ONLINE” button that will appear after submitting your card application.
Step 17: A new window will open displaying the Bill2Pay interface, where you can supply your payment details. You can pay with an e-check, credit card, or debit card, and a small additional processing fee will be applied to your online payment.
Step 18: Click “CONTINUE” after your payment information is entered and verify that all of your information is correct. Next, enter your email address and click “I Agree to the Terms and Conditions.” You should also see a “Print for Your Records” option where you can print your payment confirmation for your records.
MMJ Card Renewal: Wrapping Up
Here at Sun Jane, we’re big believers in the power of medical marijuana. We’ve helped countless Floridians just like you gain access to this all-natural plant medicine, and we’ve seen with our own eyes how it’s changing lives for the better by reducing our dependence on costly (and potentially harmful) pharmaceuticals.
If you have any other questions about MMJ card renewal, Florida’s medical cannabis laws, or any other MMJ-related questions, we invite you to reach out anytime. We’re here to help!