Medical marijuana is now legally available in Florida, and it can be a great alternative for seniors who want to avoid the side effects and dangers of opioids and other prescription medications and want to improve their quality of life. Of course, there are requirements and restrictions. Recreational marijuana use has not been legalized in Florida, and medical marijuana is no free-for-all. An experienced and state-licensed marijuana physician can help you determine if medical cannabis is right for you and if you have a qualifying health condition.
Qualifying Conditions
If you have considered or looked into medical cannabis in the past and found out that you did not qualify under Florida law, it may be time to check again. Changes to the law have made it possible for more patients to qualify and have given doctors more room to determine and decide who can benefit. Qualifying conditions include:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Chronic pain
- Epilepsy or seizures
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Severe muscle spasms
- Other similar debilitating conditions not specifically named in the law, if your doctor believes that the benefits of medical cannabis would outweigh the risks for you
If your condition is not listed, you may still qualify since doctors can now recommend medical marijuana for patients they fell will benefit if they have debilitating conditions. Seniors who suffer from conditions such as debilitating arthritis now have the option to seek relief from them without taking opioid medications and living with the dangerous and debilitating side effects.
Please view this infographic to learn more about medical marijuana for seniors in Florida.
