Florida Marijuana Market
The marijuana business consultants at Point Seven Group are experts in the Florida medical marijuana market. We have successfully helped our clients obtain business licenses, design dispensaries, build identifiable brands, and operate compliant marijuana businesses. Our team of marijuana experts can help you reach your business goals in the Florida medical marijuana market!
WHAT IS FLORIDA'S CURRENT CANNABIS MARKET STATUS?
The application process for a Florida Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) is currently closed. However, the Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) is moving forward with administrative review to establish an application process to award up to 22 additional MMTC licenses by 2023. Licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) are vertically integrated and are the only businesses in Florida authorized to dispense medical marijuana and low-THC cannabis to qualified patients and caregivers. Each MMTC must receive authorization at three stages prior to dispensing low-THC cannabis or medical marijuana: cultivation authorization, processing authorization, and dispensing authorization. Applicants interested in MMTCs may also purchase an existing MMTC operator although prices are high. Two licenses went on sale towards the end of 2019 with one listed for $40 million and allows the owner to operate up to 30 dispensaries. A second license listed for $55 million and allows the owner to operate 35 dispensaries. As of May 2022, there are 436 total Medical Marijuana Treatment Center Dispensing locations across Florida.
ADULT-USE CANNABIS IN FLORIDA
Currently, adult-use in Florida is illegal. However, the Florida Marijuana Use and Growth Legalization Initiative announced that it will begin a new campaign targeting the 2024 ballot. This measure outlines plans to legalize the personal use, growth, transport, and possession of cannabis for individuals 21 years of age or older, as well as allow individuals to cultivate up to nine cannabis plants with 18 maximum per household.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN FLORIDA
Florida joined numerous states with the legalization of medical cannabis in 2016 when voters passed the Florida Medical Legalization Initiative known as Amendment 2 with a 71% majority. The Amendment to Florida's constitution allows doctors to recommend the use of medical cannabis for patients to alleviate symptoms for specific qualifying conditions. Florida currently operates under Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64-4. To qualify, a patient must be a permanent or seasonal resident of Florida, be entered into the medical marijuana use registry, and obtain a medical marijuana ID card. Patients may only purchase cannabis from registered cannabis dispensaries, called Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs). Once a patient has been diagnosed by a qualified physician and entered into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry, they can immediately begin the ID card application process. Once an application is approved, patients instantly receive an approval email which can be used to fill an order at an approved MMTC.
Under Amendment 2 only vertically integrated operations are allowed, which has sparked frustration for potential cannabis entrepreneurs. In 2019, SB 182 was passed repealing the Amendment 2 ban on smoking medical cannabis, creating a boom in the market. The availability of medical cannabis expanded from allowable products only being in the forms of edibles, vaping, oils, sprays, or pills to also include smokable medical cannabis. This resulted in retail sales on smokable products alone reaching $100-150 million from July 2019 to December 2019. In September 2020, sales of edible products began shortly after the Florida Department of Health published regulations to allow such sales.
OUR SERVICES IN THE FLORIDA MARIJUANA MARKET
MEDICAL MARIJUANA MARKET PROJECTIONS IN FLORIDA
FLORIDA MARIJUANA NEWS
FLORIDA MARIJUANA LAWS
Qualifying conditions for the state's medical cannabis program include:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to the others listed
- A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the physician certification
- Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition or that originates from a qualifying medical condition and persists beyond the usual course of that qualifying medical condition
Despite being a medical cannabis state, Florida still abides by strict cannabis laws and remains one of the only 19 states that imposes jail time for simple possession. With the possession of small amounts illegal, a person with the possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis can still receive up to one year imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000 with a misdemeanor charge placed on his/her record. Possession of more than 20 grams is considered a felony, and is punishable by a maximum of five years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $5,000.
In June 2014, Governor Scott signed into law SB 1030 otherwise known as the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act legalizing CBD oil. This bill allows cannabis oil consisting of low THC/high CBD contents produced from the cannabis strain known as Charlotte’s Web to be legally available to patients with qualifying conditions such as epilepsy, cancer, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In 2015, in an effort to focus criminal resources on violent crimes, local governments began to pass ordinances to allow officers the discretion to cite rather than arrest adults found with under 20 grams of cannabis in their possession. While this is a positive sign, some police departments have said they will continue to arrest everyone in possession of cannabis. Medical cannabis was legalized in 2016 in Florida when Amendment 2 was approved with a 71.3% vote. The passing of Amendment 2 gave access to medical cannabis for patients who received recommendations from a physician stating that the potential benefits of medical cannabis outweigh the potential risk.
FLORIDA HEMP LAWS
Florida hemp cultivation is legal and aspiring hemp entrepreneurs can now apply for a hemp cultivation license in Florida here. As of May 2022, there are 802 approved hemp cultivation permits, 65 Florida counties with approved hemp cultivation permits, and 30,000 acres in Florida approved for planting hemp. Florida licensed hemp businesses are also eligible for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business Development Grant Programs.
