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The complete guide to cannabis in Orlando

The Orlando, Florida skyline

Article written by

April AcernoContent Writer

Table of contents

  1. Key takeaways
  2. Florida cannabis laws
  3. How to get medical marijuana in Orlando
  4. Dispensaries in Orlando
  5. Tips for buying cannabis in Orlando
  6. Resources 

Recreational cannabis is illegal throughout Florida, but Orlando residents who have certain health conditions may be able to access cannabis legally through the state’s medical cannabis program.

If you live in Orlando, it’s important to be aware of local cannabis laws if you want to access safe, high-quality cannabis products legally.

Key takeaways

Here are the most important things to know about about medical cannabis in Orlando:

  • Legal age: State-approved medical users must be at least 18 years old to make purchases from licensed dispensaries, known as medical marijuana treatment centers, or have a caregiver registered to make purchases on their behalf.
  • Possession limits: State-approved medical users can possess up to 4 ounces (oz) of cannabis products.
  • Cultivation: Growing cannabis on your property is illegal in Orlando, even for state-approved medical users.

Florida cannabis laws

Recreational cannabis is strictly illegal in Florida. Anyone caught possessing cannabis without a medical card faces criminal charges, including fines and jail time.

However, residents who have been diagnosed with certain health conditions can apply for Florida’s medical cannabis program, known as the Medical Marijuana Use Registry.

Consuming cannabis in public is strictly prohibited in Florida, even for medical cardholders. This means that you can only legally consume medical cannabis at home.

Recreational cannabis laws

Florida law forbids the purchase, use, or possession of recreational cannabis.

Possessing up to 20 grams (g) of cannabis without a state-issued medical card is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $1,000. Possessing higher amounts leads to felony charges with increasing penalties.

That said, in 2016, the city of Orlando voted to decriminalize possession of up to 20 g of cannabis. This means that anyone caught possessing cannabis in Orlando, may only face a $100 fine for the first offense, or a $200 fine for the second offense.

Those who cannot afford to pay the fines may be eligible for community service instead.

Medical cannabis laws

In 2016, medical cannabis use became legal throughout Florida with the passing of Amendment 2.

As a result, any resident who is diagnosed with one of the state’s qualifying health conditions can register with the Medical Marijuana Use Registry after receiving a doctor’s recommendation.

Once registration is complete, you can purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries, known in Florida as medical marijuana treatment centers, with a state-issued medical card.

Florida allows caregivers to obtain medical cannabis on behalf of a minor diagnosed with one of the state’s qualifying health conditions. Caregivers apply through the same registry system.

In Florida, medical cardholders can legally possess up to 4 oz of cannabis products at one time.

The state does not restrict any medical cannabis product types, so you can choose from a variety of products, including:

  • Cannabis flower
  • Vaporizers
  • Tinctures
  • Edibles
  • Topicals
  • Concentrates

In Orlando, as in other Florida cities, you must get a cannabis recommendation from your doctor in order to legally purchase and consume cannabis flower.

While some states have job protection laws for medical cannabis cardholders, Florida does not. This means that testing positive for cannabis on a drug test may put you at risk of losing your job, even if you’re a part of the state’s medical cannabis registry.

In Florida, it’s also illegal to get a gun permit if you have a medical cannabis card.

Even if you’re a medical cannabis cardholder, driving while intoxicated is a serious crime punishable by fines, jail time, and suspension of your driver’s license.

According to Florida law, growing cannabis at home is strictly illegal, regardless of cardholder status.

How to get medical marijuana in Orlando

The only way to purchase and consume cannabis legally in Orlando is by obtaining a medical cannabis card through Florida’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry. For individuals without a medical card, possessing cannabis is a punishable offense.

To register with Florida’s medical cannabis program, you must be able to provide:

  • A state-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license
  • A written medical cannabis recommendation from a licensed physician

Finding a doctor

The first step to accessing medical cannabis legally is obtaining a cannabis recommendation from a licensed physician. They will submit a written document stating your diagnosis to the state’s medical cannabis registry.

Not all doctors in Orlando make medical cannabis recommendations. You can do some research in your neighborhood to find one who does. These recommendations must be made after an in-person appointment, as Florida does not allow doctors to make initial medical cannabis recommendations online.

Consider attending one of Leafwell’s free pop-up clinics that take place across Florida. At these events, you can meet with a licensed physician and get certified for medical cannabis for free.

Once your physician’s recommendation has been submitted to the state, you can apply to the registry.

You should receive a digital ID number shortly after submitting your registration, which can be used to purchase cannabis at medical marijuana treatment centers. It can take about 10 business days to receive your physical card by mail.

Qualifying conditions

You must be diagnosed with at least one of the following health conditions to qualify for medical cannabis in Orlando:

Can an out-of-state medical marijuana patient purchase medical cannabis in Orlando?

Medical marijuana treatment centers in Florida do not recognize out-of-state medical cannabis cards.

This means that visitors from other states cannot legally purchase medical cannabis while visiting Orlando.

Dispensaries in Orlando

  • The Flowery (8586 S Orange Blossom Trl): In addition to providing in-store shopping at The Flowery, you can also place orders online for pickup.

Tips for buying cannabis in Orlando

To improve your medical cannabis experience, follow these tips after receiving your state-issued medical card:

  • Stick to licensed medical marijuana treatment centers: Only buy cannabis at state-licensed medical marijuana treatment centers. This prevents you from ending up with low-quality or unsafe products.
  • Bring your ID: You must show a state-issued ID card to purchase cannabis from a medical marijuana treatment center.
  • Check local laws: Cannabis laws in Orlando and throughout Florida may change. Avoid any issues by checking local laws periodically.
  • Seek guidance from experts: If you’re new to medical cannabis, consider asking an expert for guidance on dosing and choosing the best products for your needs. A dispensary budtender or Leafwell provider can help.
  • Compare prices: Prices on cannabis products can vary between medical marijuana treatment centers. Compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

Resources 

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Frequently asked questions

Find out more about cannabis in Orlando with answers to common questions.

Is it legal to smoke weed in Orlando, FL?

According to Florida’s cannabis laws, you can only legally smoke cannabis if you have a state-issued medical cannabis card, have received a separate recommendation from a licensed physician specifically for smoking cannabis, and are smoking it in a private residence. In Florida, smoking cannabis without a medical card is considered a misdemeanor. But the city of Orlando has decriminalized possession of up to 20 g of cannabis. As a result, getting caught smoking weed in Orlando is only punishable by a $100 to $200 fine — as long as you have less than 20 g on you.

Does Orlando have weed dispensaries?

Yes, but only for state-approved medical cannabis cardholders. In Florida, these dispensaries are called "medical marijuana treatment centers."

Has Orlando decriminalized weed?

Possession of up to 20 g of cannabis has been decriminalized in Orlando. As a result, getting caught with less than this amount is only punishable by a $100 to $200 fine.

Does Orlando airport check for weed?

Orlando International Airport staff do not actively search for cannabis in your luggage, as they focus primarily on security threats. However, if cannabis is found in your luggage during screening, it may be confiscated. In rare cases, you may face federal charges for possessing large amounts or having repeat offenses. Keep in mind that crossing state lines with cannabis is a federal crime.

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