Medical marijuana may provide relief for patients with specific health conditions. In Florida, qualifying for medical marijuana use requires a diagnosis of a qualifying condition and approval from a certified physician.

Qualifying conditions

As of the latest regulations, Florida Senate Bill 8A allows medical marijuana use for patients with the following specific conditions:

  1. Cancer

  2. Epilepsy

  3. Glaucoma

  4. HIV/AIDS

  5. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

  6. Crohn’s Disease

  7. Parkinson’s Disease

  8. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

  9. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  10. Chronic Nonmalignant Pain - Pain that is not cancer-related but arises from a qualifying condition and is persistent or recurring.

  11. Terminal Conditions - Diagnosed by a physician and expected to result in death within a year without medical intervention.

Other Potential Qualifying Conditions

Beyond the above conditions, Florida law includes a clause that may allow patients with other medical issues to qualify for medical marijuana treatment. This clause—referred to as the "same kind or class" provision in Senate Bill 8A—allows doctors to recommend medical marijuana for conditions that share similar symptoms, severity, or characteristics with the listed qualifying conditions.

What Does "Same Kind or Class" Mean?

  • The "same kind or class" provision allows flexibility for patients whose condition may not be listed but presents symptoms and challenges similar to those of qualifying conditions.

  • For example, a patient with a chronic, debilitating condition that causes persistent pain or affects quality of life in a way comparable to the listed conditions may be considered.