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Treating Autism with Medical Cannabis Part III: “The Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry Process”

9/2/2018

21 Comments

 
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In January of 2017, The Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative (known as Amendment 2) went into effect allowing Floridians the right to use medical cannabis to treat eligible conditions. The Florida Department of Health created the Office of Medical Marijuana Use for overseeing seeing the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry and its application process. After our first visit with Dr. David Berger of Wholistic Releaf and the completion of our application in the Florida Medical Marijuana Registry for our son Richie, we began to feel hopeful about finding relief for him and the pain, anxiety and other internal struggles he experiences daily. Everything Dr. David explained about the medical marijuana registry process was on target. If you've been wondering about applying for medical cannabis, please keep following our blog series and read about our step-by-step experience with the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry Process.
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​Eligibility for Qualified Patients ​

After making the decision to treat Richie with medical cannabis, we knew he needed to meet the criteria for eligibility. Although autism is not on the list of qualifying medical conditions a person can also qualify for exhibiting symptoms that are the same class or kind of debilitating symptoms of qualifying conditions. In Richie’s case, as a Florida resident, Dr. David explained that he qualifies for medical cannabis treatment due to having the same severe symptoms of PTSD (he experiences severe anxiety, insomnia, and he engages in self-injurious behavior and he is aggressive with others) and Parkinson’s (decreasing ability to effectively communicate with others). 


​Eligibility for Qualified Caregivers ​

If a qualified patient is a minor like Richie who is under the age of 18, then a qualified caregiver must be designated. A caregiver must be a Florida resident who is over 21 years old.  In Richie’s case, I am his mother and caregiver and I reside in the state of Florida. I have no prior or existing criminal drug violations, and I can pass any current background screening process. 


​A Qualifying Physician must Confirm Eligibility 

A qualified physician must diagnose (or confirm diagnoses) and determine if medical cannabis is an appropriate treatment. For minors, a second physician must submit a letter stating that he or she concurs with the patient’s diagnosis and that medical cannabis is an appropriate treatment for the patient. The physicians letter must also state that the benefits of medical cannabis outweigh the risks for the patient with the diagnosis (Wholistic Releaf has other doctors on staff who can provide this service if needed). Please note that it wasn’t enough for us to just identify a qualified physician who has taken the required 2-hour course to certify Richie for medical cannabis. As I mentioned in my previous blog segment, Finding the Right Doctor with the Right Approach was important to us as well as follow-up and treatment management. Dr. David of Wholistic Releaf is our best option for moving forward with treating Richie using medical cannabis.


​Patients and Caregivers are Entered into the Medical Marijuana Registry 

​After our first visit with Dr. David, he needed two email addresses to enter into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry. One was for the start of Richie’s application as the patient and one was for mine as the caregiver.  It’s important to note that only a qualified physician can enter the emails needed for the Medical Marijuana Registry for starting the application process. Dr. David told us to expect emails from the Medical Marijuana Use Registry within two weeks. It does not necessarily take two weeks to receive the login information from the Medical Marijuana Registry, there are times when it is completed within one day. However, if there is a need to obtain a patients medical records, a second Doctor's letter, or other information, it can take as long as two weeks. In our case, as Dr. David stated, within two weeks I received two emails (one for each of our accounts) inviting us to create logins with an assigned password that would be changed once I accessed our user profiles.
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​Patients and Caregivers Apply for their Registry Card

Once we were entered and logged into the system, I had to complete both applications for Richie and myself (both profiles are linked in the system as patient and caregiver). This process may be completed electronically or by mail (note that mailing will take a bit longer for processing). For both applications, I would need to confirm all the basic information already entered by Dr. David (our full names, dates of birth, address, etc.). Both applications required proofs of identification, residence, and photos to be uploaded. 

For (Minor) Patient Applications – Since Richie is a minor, naturally I would be completing his application. For Richie’s proof of ID and residence, a picture that met the requirements for a passport photo would be allowed to upload along with a copy of his birth certificate (Richie was born in Florida). A $75 processing fee would need to be paid after clicking the submit button for completing Richie’s application. 

​For Caregiver Applications –  Before accessing my profile as caregiver, I was required to complete the “Medical Marijuana Use Caregiver Certification Course.”  This is a 48-slide online presentation that reviews the status of medical marijuana in Florida, the requirements for becoming a qualified patient and caregiver, the role and legal responsibilities of the caregiver, the physician recommendation process, what a medical marijuana treatment center is, and finally, the civil and criminal penalties for violations of Florida law. After reviewing the presentation, a short quiz (about five questions) must be passed before proceeding with the application process. My Florida driver’s license was sufficient for proof of residence, photo, and confirming my current address. I also needed to upload Richie’s birth certificate with my application to prove my legal representation as his caregiver.  A $75 processing fee would need to be paid after clicking the submit button for completing my application. 

​Once the applications are submitted, we wait until the Office of Medical Marijuana Use either requires further information or approves our applications. This is currently where we are in the application process. Even though it’s typical for the registry to send notifications about your application, I read on their website that it’s advised to log in and check the status of your application. In the meantime, it’s also a good idea to stay informed of any legal changes, updates, and continue learning about cannabis and medical uses. 

Resources:

Wholistic Releaf Resources - Review their great list of local, statewide and nationwide resources!                        
Wholistic Releaf Blog - Dr. David Berger shares the latest updates and news on Medical Cannabis and other informative articles. 
Florida Department of Health - Office of Medical Marijuana Use
Florida Patients Guide
Medical Marijuana Treatment and Dispensary Centers


Related Posts
​


Stay tuned for our next series segment Part IV: "The Science Behind the Development of a Treatment Plan."

Read our previous segment - part II: "Finding the Right Doctor with the Right Approach."


​Although we received services as part of our collaboration with Wholistic Releaf for raising awareness on treating autism with medical cannabis, all opinions expressed are my own.

Sincerely, Christine SensoryFriends

21 Comments
Ally
9/8/2018 01:45:04 pm

That is such an interesting post. It is always interesting to read about the benefits of how medical marijuana treat certain diseases.

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Amanda link
9/8/2018 02:16:13 pm

Medical marijuana has a lot of benefits! I did not know that it benefitted those with Autism!

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Nicole link
9/8/2018 10:56:14 pm

I never knew that you could use similar symptoms as a means to qualify for medical marijuana. I’m glad that he is able to get the care that he needs and that it hasn’t been too difficult a process.

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Mom Life Optimized link
9/9/2018 12:36:02 pm

Very interesting article, good information.

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Jessica Martin link
9/9/2018 04:49:26 pm

I knew medical marijuana had a lot of healthy benefits. Like other readers, had no idea it could help autism. My aunt has a daughter who is autistic. I will share this with her and see if this could be helpful for my cousin.

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duffelbagspouse link
9/9/2018 05:43:42 pm

I am so happy you have found something that will help. I am a supporter of legalized as well as recreational marijuana and feel that the studies have proved its value in treating some ailments. We need to get to legalized so its a safer business.

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Devyani Ray
9/9/2018 07:01:49 pm

Very interesting! So many uses of Medical Marijuana

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Talya link
9/9/2018 09:19:03 pm

Such an interesting post. Medical marijuana has a lot of amazing benefits. Thank you for sharing this information.

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David Elliott link
9/10/2018 02:57:07 am

This is some great information when it comes to helping those in need under age in getting medicinal marijuana to treat illnesses. I am very curious as to studies showing the affects on children with Autism and Aspergers.

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Joanna
9/10/2018 11:16:45 am

This was a very interesting read, as in my country marijuana is not legal, for any purpose. I didn't know that medical marijuana would benefit people who suffer of autism.

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Jeff
9/10/2018 12:04:40 pm

It's crazy that in 2018 it's still that difficult to get a plant, especially one with all the benefits of modern medicine without the side effects

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Debby link
9/10/2018 12:51:44 pm

This is a very informative and thorough post for people who need more of these details. Much information in the news is not accurate so it is important to have access to this.

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swathi link
9/10/2018 04:21:49 pm

I never knew that autism can be treated with medical marijuna. I am glad that you son got the help he needed.

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Christine link
9/10/2018 06:36:42 pm

Really interesting to learn how medical marijuana can help with the effects of conditions.

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Sigrid Says link
9/11/2018 10:11:16 am

Well, this is interesting. Honestly, I am for the regulated use of marijuana as medication. I just wonder how stringent would everything be so that it;s not abused?

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Vaibhav Mehta link
9/11/2018 10:57:27 am

Useful & timely information. Awareness is the key..sharing!

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Jelena link
9/11/2018 07:31:01 pm

Some people in my surroundings used medical marijuana to relieve pain, especially in later stages of cancer.

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Live Love And Adventure link
9/12/2018 11:48:41 pm

Although I know there are many medical benefits to medical marijuana, I have never heard about it being used for autism before. Thanks for the useful information.

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Astrid link
9/13/2018 02:23:17 pm

What an awesome post! I am glad you were able to get medical marijuana treatment for your son. So happy to hear that FL's amendment 2 went into effect this year. Hopefully many more states will follow. Sharing with <3

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suzanne.spiegoski link
9/22/2018 06:24:36 pm

Total believer in medical marijuana. It helps with so many ailments, autism included.

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Lyle Dionisio link
6/11/2021 03:44:28 am

I am always interested to know the benefits of medical marijuana. Like other readers, had no idea it could help autism. My uncle has a daughter who is autistic. I will share this with her and see if this could be helpful for my cousin. Thanks for sharing this article.

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    Author: Christine Goulbourne
    christine@sensoryfriends.com 

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