Florida Snowbirds Can Use Medical Marijuana

Seasonal residents on beach
Seasonal residents in Florida, often referred to as "snowbirds," are legally eligible to use medical marijuana during their stay. According to Florida Senate Bill 8A, a "seasonal resident" is defined as someone who temporarily resides in Florida for at least 31 consecutive days each year, maintains a temporary residence, returns to their home state or jurisdiction at least once a year, and is registered to vote or pays income tax in another state or jurisdiction. To prove seasonal residency, individuals can submit two forms of documentation showing proof of residential address. Furthermore, seasonal residents suffering from a range of conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, PTSD, ALS, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, among others, may qualify for medical marijuana treatment.
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Affectionately referred to as snowbirds, seasonal Florida residents may legally qualify to use medical marijuana while visiting the Sunshine State.

Important definitions

According to Florida Senate Bill 8A, which outlines guidelines for the state’s medical marijuana program, a qualified patient means:

A resident of this state [Florida] who has been added to the medical marijuana use registry by a qualified physician to receive marijuana or a marijuana delivery device for a medical use and who has a qualified patient identification card.

However, Bill 8A expressly states that individuals who meet the definition of seasonal residents may qualify, as well:

[T]he term “seasonal resident” means any person who temporarily resides in this state [Florida] for a period of at least 31 consecutive days in each calendar year, maintains a temporary residence in this state, returns to the state or jurisdiction of his or her residence at least one time during each calendar year, and is registered to vote or pays income tax in another state or jurisdiction.

Proving seasonal residency

While Florida residents are required to provide a copy of their driver’s license or other state-approved form of identification, seasonal residents may submit a copy of two of the following that show proof of residential address:

  • A deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet, or residential rental or lease agreement
  • One proof of residential address from the seasonal resident’s parent, step-parent, legal guardian or other person with whom the seasonal resident resides and a statement from the person with whom the seasonal resident resides stating that the seasonal resident does reside with him or her
  • A utility hookup or work order dated within 60 days before registration in the medical use registry
  • A utility bill, not more than 2 months old
  • Mail from a financial institution, including checking, savings, or investment account statements, not more than 2 months old
  • Mail from a federal, state, county, or municipal government agency, not more than 2 months old
  • Any other documentation that provides proof of residential address as determined by department rule

Qualifying conditions

Florida snowbirds suffering from any of the following conditions may qualify for medical marijuana treatment:

Updated: February 1, 2024

Article Written By:

Jessica Walters

Jessica Walters serves as CannaMD's Chief Medical Researcher. Prior to her time at CannaMD, Jessica earned her degree from Harvard where she focused on neuropsychology. Her personal research interests include psychosocial interventions for obesity, depression, and generalized anxiety disorders.

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