2025 Session: Cannabis Bills Pre-Filed in Florida House and Senate
Multiple cannabis-related bills have been pre-filed for the 2025 Florida Legislative Session, including proposals affecting home cultivation, licensing caps, and patient access.
Independent Public Resource
Florida Cannabis Law, Medical Program & Legalization Tracking
FloridaCannabis.org is a neutral, fact-based resource covering Florida's medical marijuana program, adult-use legalization efforts, THCA and hemp-derived cannabinoid regulations, and cannabis policy developments. We compile primary sources, track legislation, and explain complex rules in plain language—without advocacy or speculation.
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Policy & Regulatory Updates
View all updates →OMMU Proposes Updated Testing Requirements for Medical Cannabis Products
The Office of Medical Marijuana Use has initiated rulemaking to update laboratory testing requirements, including expanded panels for contaminants and potency verification.
FDACS Guidance on Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Product Compliance
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issues updated guidance document clarifying labeling, COA requirements, and THC potency calculations for hemp products.
Florida Appeals Court Rules on MMTC License Challenge
First District Court of Appeal issues opinion in case concerning Florida Department of Health's vertically integrated licensing framework for Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers.
Medical Marijuana Patient Registry Reaches New Enrollment Milestone
Florida's Office of Medical Marijuana Use reports updated patient enrollment figures, showing continued growth in registered qualifying patients and active medical marijuana cards.
Miami-Dade County Reviews Dispensary Zoning Regulations
County commission agenda includes discussion of MMTC dispensary location requirements, including proximity restrictions and conditional use permit processes.
Explore by Topic
Core Cannabis Policy Areas
Navigate Florida's cannabis regulatory landscape with topic-specific overviews covering current law, pending legislation, and practical information for patients, businesses, and the public.
Medical Marijuana Card (MMJ)
Eligibility requirements, qualifying conditions, application process through OMMU, physician certification, renewal procedures, and patient rights under Florida's medical marijuana program.
Read overviewDispensaries & MMTCs
Florida's vertically integrated licensing model, approved Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, dispensary locations, product availability, and the state's regulatory framework for cannabis retail.
Read overviewSmokable Flower Rules
History and current status of smokable medical marijuana in Florida, including the 2019 legislative changes, 2.5-ounce rolling limits, physician certification requirements, and related court decisions.
Read overviewPossession Limits
Legal possession amounts for medical marijuana patients, 70-day supply calculations, smokable flower limits, how the Medical Marijuana Use Registry tracks allotments, and penalties for exceeding limits.
Read overviewHome Cultivation Status
Current law prohibiting home growing in Florida, legislative proposals that have addressed personal cultivation, comparison to other states, and tracking of any pending bills that would permit home grow.
Read overviewTHCA & Hemp Legality
Legal status of THCA flower and hemp-derived cannabinoids in Florida, relationship to the federal Farm Bill, state-level restrictions, total THC calculations, and compliance requirements.
Read overviewImpaired Driving & DUI
Florida DUI laws as applied to cannabis, impairment standards, testing procedures, penalties, and how medical marijuana patient status affects driving-related enforcement and legal exposure.
Read overviewEmployment & Drug Testing
Workplace protections (or lack thereof) for Florida medical marijuana patients, drug-free workplace policies, at-will employment considerations, and employer rights under current state law.
Read overview
Our Standards
How We Verify Information
FloridaCannabis.org maintains editorial standards designed to distinguish between confirmed law, proposed legislation, disputed interpretations, and open questions.
Confidence Labels Explained
Confirmed
Enacted law or adopted rule with citation
Proposed
Pending legislation or rulemaking in progress
Disputed
Conflicting interpretations or active litigation
Unknown
No clear guidance or awaiting agency action
Regulatory Framework
Understanding Florida's Medical Marijuana System
Constitutional Foundation & OMMU Administration
Florida's medical marijuana program was established through Amendment 2, approved by voters in November 2016. The amendment added Article X, Section 29 to the Florida Constitution, authorizing the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician.
The Florida Department of Health, through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), administers the program. OMMU responsibilities include licensing Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, maintaining the Medical Marijuana Use Registry, issuing patient identification cards, and establishing rules governing the program's operation.
Qualified physicians must complete required training and register with the Department of Health before they can certify patients for medical marijuana use. The physician-patient relationship is central to Florida's system: physicians determine qualifying conditions, recommend specific forms and routes of administration, and set dosage limits within state guidelines.
Vertically Integrated Licensing Model
Unlike states with separate licenses for cultivation, processing, and retail, Florida requires Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) to be vertically integrated. This means each MMTC must handle all aspects of the cannabis supply chain—cultivation, processing, and dispensing—under a single license. The original framework limited MMTC licenses, though subsequent legislation and litigation have affected the number of authorized operators.
This structure has implications for market competition, product availability, and pricing. Legislative proposals have periodically sought to modify the vertical integration requirement or increase license availability, reflecting ongoing policy debates about the optimal regulatory approach for Florida's cannabis industry.
THCA, Hemp & Cannabinoid Regulation Explainer
Understanding the legal distinctions between marijuana, hemp, THCA, and other cannabinoids under federal and Florida state law.
Hemp vs. Marijuana: The 0.3% Threshold
Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is defined as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. Plants exceeding this threshold are classified as marijuana under federal law and remain Schedule I controlled substances. This distinction determines which regulatory framework applies to a given cannabis product.
THCA and Total THC Calculations
THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the acidic precursor to delta-9 THC. When heated through smoking, vaping, or cooking, THCA converts to THC through decarboxylation. Some regulatory frameworks use "total THC" calculations that account for this conversion (typically THCA × 0.877 + delta-9 THC), while others measure only delta-9 THC. The applicable standard affects product compliance.
Certificate of Analysis (COA) Requirements
Lab testing and COAs (Certificates of Analysis) document cannabinoid content, potency, and screening for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and microbials. Both Florida's medical marijuana program and hemp regulations incorporate testing requirements, though specific protocols and required panels may differ between the programs.
Federal Context: USDA, DEA, and the Farm Bill
The USDA oversees hemp production plans submitted by states, while the DEA retains authority over controlled substances including marijuana. Federal guidance on hemp-derived cannabinoids has evolved, and questions remain about enforcement priorities for products that are technically hemp-compliant but functionally similar to marijuana products.
Florida State Restrictions
Florida has enacted legislation addressing hemp-derived cannabinoids beyond the federal framework. State law may impose additional restrictions on product types, sales channels, age requirements, and labeling. The interplay between Florida statutes, FDACS rules, and federal hemp law creates a complex compliance environment for cannabinoid products.
Youth Access & Public Safety
Both Florida's medical marijuana program and hemp regulations include provisions aimed at preventing youth access to cannabis products. Age verification, packaging requirements, marketing restrictions, and retail location rules reflect public health and safety considerations that inform cannabis policy at both the state and federal levels.
Analysis & Reports
From the Newsroom
In-depth coverage of Florida cannabis policy, regulatory developments, and market analysis.
Amendment 3 Post-Election Analysis: What the Results Mean for Florida Cannabis Policy
A detailed examination of the November 2024 ballot initiative results, voter demographics, campaign dynamics, and potential paths forward for adult-use cannabis legalization in Florida.
MMTC Licensing in Florida: A History of Litigation and Legislative Intervention
Tracing the legal and legislative battles over Florida's Medical Marijuana Treatment Center licensing framework, from the original caps to subsequent court challenges and statutory amendments.
The THCA Question: Federal Loophole or State Enforcement Target?
Examining the legal ambiguity surrounding THCA hemp flower, how different jurisdictions are approaching the issue, and what Florida's regulatory response has been to date.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Florida cannabis law, the medical marijuana program, legalization efforts, and hemp regulations.
As of the last update, recreational or adult-use marijuana is not legal in Florida. Florida voters considered Amendment 3 in November 2024, a ballot initiative that would have legalized adult-use cannabis for individuals 21 and older. The measure required 60% approval to pass under Florida's constitutional amendment threshold. For the current status, consult official sources such as the Florida Division of Elections.
To obtain an MMJ card (medical marijuana card) in Florida, you must be a permanent or seasonal Florida resident, be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a qualified physician registered with the Florida Department of Health, and register with the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). The physician will enter your information into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry. After approval, you can apply for your card through the OMMU online system and pay the required state fee.
Florida law specifies several qualifying conditions including cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and terminal conditions diagnosed by a physician. Physicians may also recommend medical marijuana for conditions they determine to be of the same kind or class as those listed, or for chronic nonmalignant pain.
THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) hemp flower occupies a legally complex area. Under federal law, hemp containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight is legal per the 2018 Farm Bill. However, THCA converts to delta-9 THC when heated. Florida has enacted regulations concerning hemp-derived cannabinoids, and the legal status may depend on product testing, labeling, and compliance with both state and federal law. Consult current Florida statutes and FDACS (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) rules for the latest guidance.
Florida medical marijuana patients may possess up to a 70-day supply of cannabis as determined by their qualified physician. For smokable flower specifically, patients are limited to 2.5 ounces per 35-day period unless a physician requests an exception. All cannabis must be purchased from a licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) and possession limits are tracked through the state's Medical Marijuana Use Registry.
Home cultivation of marijuana is not permitted in Florida, even for registered medical marijuana patients. All cannabis products must be purchased from state-licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs). This restriction has been a topic of legislative discussion, and home grow provisions have been included in some proposed bills. Check current Florida statutes for the most recent legal status.
An MMTC (Medical Marijuana Treatment Center) is a vertically integrated cannabis business licensed by the Florida Department of Health. MMTCs are authorized to cultivate, process, transport, and dispense medical marijuana products to qualified patients. Florida's medical marijuana system requires these businesses to handle all stages of production and sale, unlike states that allow separate cultivation, processing, and retail licenses.
Florida law does not require employers to accommodate medical marijuana use in the workplace. Employers may maintain drug-free workplace policies, and employees who test positive for cannabis—including medical marijuana patients—may face disciplinary action or termination. This issue involves complex interactions between state medical marijuana law, federal law, and employer policies. Specific questions about employment rights should be directed to a qualified attorney.
Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal in Florida for all drivers, including medical marijuana patients. Florida DUI laws prohibit operating a vehicle while impaired by any substance, and there is no legal threshold for THC like there is for alcohol (0.08 BAC). Impaired driving charges can result in license suspension, fines, and criminal penalties. Public safety laws regarding cannabis-impaired driving are actively enforced.
Official information about Florida's medical marijuana program is available through the Florida Department of Health's Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) at knowthefactsmmj.com. For legislative updates, consult the Florida Legislature's website at leg.state.fl.us. Hemp-related regulations are administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). For ballot initiatives, visit the Florida Division of Elections.