House Bill 387 was signed into law as Chapter 2023-292, Laws of Florida, on June 26, 2023. Section 1 of the bill amends section 381.986(4), Florida Statutes, and has an effective date of July 1, 2023. You may view the amended language here.

Therefore, beginning July 1, 2023, a qualified physician may conduct subsequent examinations of a patient through telehealth, as defined by section 456.47, Florida Statutes, for the purposes of renewing that patient’s certification. Importantly, the qualified physician must still conduct an in-person physical examination of that patient before issuing the patient’s initial certification. An “in-person examination” means an examination conducted by a qualified physician while the physician is physically present in the same room as the patient.

Please note that if a patient changes qualified physicians (even if the new physician is part of the same practice), the new qualified physician must conduct an in-person physical examination of that patient.  After the new qualified physician conducts the in-person physical examination of the patient, they may recertify that patient using telehealth.

If you have any questions, please contact the OMMU by responding to this email or calling 850-245-4657.

Thank you,

Office of Medical Marijuana Use
Florida Department of Health

Toll Free Number: 800-808-9580
www.KnowTheFactsMMJ.com

Mailing Address for Patient and Caregiver ID Card Applications:
PO Box 31313
Tampa, FL 33631-3313

OMMU Mailing Address (for non ID Card Applications):
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin M-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399