As a beautiful beach town along the west coast of Florida, Clearwater attracts a variety of tourists seeking endless summer, seasonal residents escaping colder climates, and families looking to settle in under the sun. With so much beauty around you, it can be frustrating to manage your lifestyle when health problems get in the way.
Fortunately, since the passage of Amendment 2, a new type of treatment is available to improve the quality of life of Florida residents.
Now that medical marijuana is legal, read on to determine if this treatment is right for you!
Is Medical Marijuana Legal in Clearwater?
In 2016, medical marijuana was legalized in Florida when 71% of Florida voters approved Amendment 2. With this new bill, Florida joined the ranks of countless other states advancing legalization efforts to increase accessibility to patients in need. Now Clearwater residents can use medical cannabis for a variety of debilitating medical conditions, ranging from cancer and Crohn’s disease to post-traumatic stress disorder and more.
Medical marijuana dispensaries also continue to pop up across the state, broadening access and reaching new communities. Clearwater has been quick to welcome dispensaries, recognizing the communal need for new pain management techniques.
Since legalization, over 200,000 Florida residents have registered in the state’s medical marijuana database!
Clearwater Honoring the Votes
Following the legalization of medical marijuana in Florida, lawmakers pointed out that the bill enacted in 2016 gave cities the option of either banning dispensaries or regulating them like local pharmacies, effectively tying the hands of jurisdictions that are not sure how to regulate this type of treatment center. Many local officials have been hesitant to allow dispensaries – although the majority of their constituents were in favor of Amendment 2 – fearing that they will have little control over zoning procedures or the number of dispensaries.
Fortunately, since Amendment 2 received support from 71% of the state and 75% of Pinellas County, Clearwater officials voted unanimously to allow dispensaries.
Clearwater Medical Marijuana Doctors
The first step to receiving medical marijuana is discussing the treatment with a licensed Florida physician who is specifically certified to recommend medical cannabis.
Our doctors at CannaMD want to help you make an informed choice about your care, and talk to you about the benefits of medical marijuana. If you are located in the Clearwater area, we have a convenient office located at:
13575 58th St N, Suite 200
Clearwater, FL 33760
Where to Buy Medical Marijuana in Clearwater
Clearwater is no stranger to dispensaries or medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs). Back in 2016, Clearwater became the second city in the state to establish a dispensary for medical marijuana and has since opened two more, helping to alleviate concerns about treatment accessibility.
If you don’t want to make the drive to your local dispensary, many medical marijuana companies deliver right to your door!
Whether you prefer to shop in-store or order from the comfort of your own home, it is important to ensure that you only buy from state-approved dispensaries that will provide safe, legal and high quality medical marijuana.
Some of the licensed medical marijuana treatment centers in the Clearwater area include:
921 S Missouri Ave
Clearwater, FL 33756
24761 US Hwy 19 N, Ste. 630
Clearwater, FL 33763
How to Qualify for Medical Cannabis
The Medical Use of Marijuana Act, also known as Senate Bill 8A, quickly followed the passage of Amendment 2. This bill further defined how medical marijuana could be used throughout the state, as well as the conditions that could qualify a patient for treatment.
These conditions include:
In addition to the conditions above, Florida medical marijuana doctors may also recommend medical marijuana for the treatment of other “diagnosable, debilitating conditions of like, kind, or class.” This can include conditions such as chronic nonmalignant pain, terminal conditions, and anxiety.
For a full list of conditions that may qualify for medical marijuana treatment, please refer to: Qualifying Conditions.