By Dr. Fernando Fandiño-Sende, LifeCannMD – Florida Medical Marijuana Doctor
This is hands down the most common question I get at LifeCannMD: “Dr. Fandiño, can I just do my Florida medical marijuana evaluation over video call?”
And honestly? I surely understand why you’d want to save time, gas and energy and meet online. Managing pain makes simple tasks challenging, the idea of driving to another appointment can be downright overwhelming. Throw in work schedules, family responsibilities, or maybe caring for loved ones, I know that finding time for healthcare appointments isn’t always easy. Of course having a relaxed conversation with a medical marijuana doctor in Florida right from your own home sounds ideal. Yeah, that sounds pretty perfect.
Here’s what I tell my patients: it depends on whether this is your first time getting a Florida MMJ card or if you’re coming back for a renewal. Let me walk you through exactly what Florida law says and what you can expect when you’re ready to get your medical cannabis recommendation in Florida.
Your First Florida Medical Marijuana Evaluation: We Need to Meet Face-to-Face
I wish I had better news, but legally your FIRST medical marijuana evaluation in Florida, you absolutely need to come in for an in-person appointment. This has been written in the law since July 1, 2023, and even though we do not like the law, there’s no way around it.
Why can’t I just do it via telemedicine? Well, Florida lawmakers were pretty specific about this. They said that qualified Florida cannabis doctors can only give you that initial MMJ certification if we physically examine you in the same room. Trust me, I understand it’s less convenient, but there are actually some good reasons for this rule.
Related Resources:
- Florida Department of Health – Office of Medical Marijuana Use
- Florida Statutes Chapter 381.986 – Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act
Why Your Florida Cannabis Doctor Needs to See You in Person First
Look, I’ve been practicing medicine for years, and honestly? There are things I can only pick up on when I’m sitting across from you. During your in-person Florida MMJ evaluation, here’s what I’m looking for as your certified cannabis doctor:
- Actually feel for areas of pain or inflammation that you might not even realize you have
- Check your heart rate and blood pressure (my cardiology background comes in handy here!)
- Look you in the eye when we talk about your symptoms – body language tells me a lot
- Make sure you understand exactly how medical cannabis might help your specific condition
- Answer all those questions you probably have about safety, especially if you’re taking other medications
I know it seems old-school, but this face-to-face time helps me give you the best possible care.
Educational Resources:
Good News: MMJ Renewals Can Be Done From Home
Here’s where things get better! Once you’ve got your Florida medical cannabis card and we’ve met in person, your renewal appointments can totally be done via telemedicine. I love offering this option to my patients because let’s be honest – life is busy enough without having to drive to the doctor every seven months.
Your Florida medical marijuana renewal certification needs to happen every 210 days (that’s about 30 weeks). For these MMJ renewal appointments, you can literally stay in your pajamas if you want to:
- Jump on a secure video call from wherever you’re comfortable
- Lets discuss how your cannabis treatment journey is going (what’s working, what isn’t)
- We can talk about recommended dosages, cbd/thc ratios, or methods of consumption if your needs have changed or your regimen needs to be tweaked to help your ailment
- Get your renewal done without missing work or finding a babysitter
How We Make This Easy for You at LifeCannMD
When I started LifeCannMD, I wanted to create the kind of practice where patients actually feel heard and taken care of. As a Double Board-Certified Internal Medicine Doctor and Cardiologist, I’ve seen too many patients who felt rushed through appointments or didn’t get the attention they deserved.
That’s why my team and I are committed to providing compassionate medical cannabis care throughout your entire journey – from that first nervous phone call to your routine renewals years down the road.
Here’s Exactly How We’ll Walk You Through Getting Your Florida MMJ Card
Step 1: Let’s Talk
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you call – that’s what we’re here for. When you contact us to fill out our MMJ patient registration form, our friendly staff will call you back the same day. You won’t be stuck playing phone tag or waiting around for weeks wondering if anyone got your message. We’ll have a real conversation about what you’re going through, look at your medical background, and give you a straight answer about whether medical marijuana in Florida might be right for you. We’ll also make sure you have everything you need – like confirming you’re a Florida resident and talking about what medical records would be helpful to bring.
Step 2: Let’s Meet (Your Choice: Office or Your Home)
This is where we need to meet face-to-face for your Florida medical marijuana evaluation. You’ve got two options:
Come visit us at our medical marijuana clinic near downtown Miami. We’ve made it as comfortable and welcoming as possible – no sterile, intimidating doctor’s office vibes here.
OR (and this is pretty unique) – if getting to our office is tough for you, we can arrange a house call cannabis evaluation. Maybe you’re dealing with severe mobility issues, or you’re caring for someone who can’t be left alone. Whatever the reason, we’ll come to you.
As a certified Florida cannabis doctor, I’m authorized to give you that medical marijuana recommendation you need for your MMJ card from the state of Florida.
Step 3: We’ll Handle the Paperwork Headache
Nobody likes dealing with government paperwork, and the state application can be confusing. That’s why my patient care team will literally walk you through the entire registration process with the Florida Department of Health.
We’ll help you gather everything you need:
- That passport-style photo (we can even take it for you if needed)
- Proof that you live in Florida
- The $75 application fee
- All the forms filled out correctly
Once everything’s submitted, you’ll usually get approved within 7-21 business days. The moment you get that email approval, you can start shopping at dispensaries – you don’t even have to wait for the physical card to arrive in the mail.
And here’s the best part: in about seven months, when it’s time for your renewal, we can do that whole appointment over video chat while you’re relaxing at home.
The Evaluation Process at LifeCannMD
What to Expect During Your In-Person Visit
When you schedule your initial evaluation with Dr. Fernando Fandiño-Sende, a Double Board-Certified Cardiologist and Internal Medicine Doctor, at LifeCannMD, here’s what the appointment will include:
Getting to Know Your Health Story: I’ll take time to really understand what you’ve been through medically – looking at your records, talking about treatments you’ve tried, and reviewing any medications you’re taking. This gives me the complete picture of your health journey.
Physical Examination: I’ll do a proper physical examination to evaluate your qualifying condition better and see how it’s affecting your body.
Qualifying Condition Assessment: Determination of whether your condition meets Florida’s qualifying criteria for medical marijuana use. You may qualify for multiple ailments.
Marijuana Q&A Session: If you find that you do, indeed, qualify, we’ll discuss different cannabis products, dosing strategies, and what to expect from treatment.
Registry Registration: Once approved, we’ll enter your information into the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry on the same day.
After Your Evaluation
Once Dr. Fandiño-Sende certifies you for medical marijuana, we’ll help you complete your state application online. The process includes:
- Uploading proof of Florida residency
- Paying the $75 state fee
- Receiving your physical card by mail
FLORIDA RESIDENTS CAN VISIT A DISPENSARY THE SAME DAY OF APPROVAL
Florida Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions
Florida recognizes numerous qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, including:
- Cancer (and cancer treatment side effects)
- Epilepsy and seizure disorders
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel conditions
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- PTSD (this one’s huge – so many veterans and first responders qualify)
- ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
- Chronic pain that doesn’t respond well to other treatments
- Terminal conditions
- Other conditions that cause similar symptoms to the ones above
The last point is important – Florida gives doctors like me some flexibility. If you’re dealing with something that causes symptoms similar to these conditions, there’s a good chance you’ll qualify.
Why Choose Our Miami Medical Marijuana Clinic?
Look, there are a lot of Florida cannabis doctors out there. Here’s what makes us different:
- We actually listen to you – no 5-minute rushed appointments here
- Flexible options – come to our medical marijuana clinic in Miami or we’ll come to you with in-home cannabis evaluations
- Real medical expertise – my background as a cardiologist and internal medicine doctor means I understand how cannabis interacts with other health conditions
- We handle everything – from your initial evaluation to helping with state paperwork to telemedicine MMJ renewals
- Complete privacy – your business is your business
- We’re here for the long haul – this isn’t just about getting you a card; we want to help you succeed with your treatment
Looking Ahead: Telemedicine Expansion
Allowing patients and providers to use telehealth for medical marijuana recertifications was previously permitted in Florida on a temporary basis under emergency rules put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current law represents a balanced approach that maintains the integrity of initial evaluations while providing convenience for ongoing care.
While initial evaluations must be conducted in person, the availability of telemedicine for renewals represents a significant convenience for patients who have already established care with a qualified physician.
Schedule Your Evaluation Today
Think this might be worth exploring? Give us a call today. Let’s schedule that face-to-face conversation and see if we can help you start feeling better with legal, safe medical cannabis treatment in Florida.
Dr. Fernando Fandiño-Sende is a Double Board-Certified Cardiologist and Internal Medicine Doctorwho founded LifeCannMD because he believes every patient deserves compassionate, personalized medical cannabis therapy. With nearly two decades of experience treating complex medical conditions, he brings a unique perspective to cannabis treatment in Florida – understanding not just how medical marijuana works, but how it fits into your overall health picture. Dr. Fandiño-Sende takes pride in really listening to his patients and providing evidence-based, judgment-free care to help people find relief through medical marijuana treatment.
