Can you renew a Florida medical marijuana certification by telehealth?
Yes, with one condition that trips people up: the first certification must follow an in-person exam. After that, the physician who examined you may do your later evaluations by telehealth.
The first visit is in person
Before issuing an initial certification, a qualified physician must conduct an in-person physical examination. The law defines it as an examination with the physician physically present in the same room as the patient. A video call does not count for the first certification.
Later evaluations can be by telehealth
For renewals, a qualified physician who certified you after an in-person examination may conduct your later examinations through telehealth, as Florida defines it in section 456.47. The evaluation is still required at least once every 30 weeks before a new certification.
What this means if you change doctors
The telehealth permission belongs to the physician who did your in-person examination. A physician who has never examined you in person has to start with an in-person visit, even if you have been a patient for years.
Questions
Can I get my first Florida medical marijuana certification online?
No. Florida law requires an in-person physical examination, with the physician in the same room, before the initial certification.
Can my renewal visit be a video call?
Yes, if the physician renewing you is the one who certified you after an in-person examination. The evaluation is still needed at least every 30 weeks.
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Sources
- Section 381.986, Florida Statutes (2026), October 23, 2026
- Office of Medical Marijuana Use, Qualified Physician List, October 23, 2026
This page explains a public administrative process. It is not medical or legal advice. Rules change: the Office of Medical Marijuana Use has the current position.