Florida Medical Marijuana Program: Telemedicine

Update: As of 2017, Florida lawmakers have approved legislation that prevents doctors from using telemedicine to prescribe medical marijuana. Physicians must conduct a full physical examination and assess the medical history of the patient before prescribing medical marijuana. For follow up visits, physicians must conduct an in person physical examination, in the same room as the qualified patient they previously certified, at least once every thirty (30) weeks. (Physician Requirements)

For More Information on Rule 64B8-9.0141 – Standards For Telemedicine Practice please visit the Florida Administrative Code & Florida Adminstrative Register.

All out-of-state health care practitioners intending to provide telemedicine services, to patients geographically situated in the state of Florida, must first obtain a valid medical license, from the Florida Medical Board, prior to commencing service — however, physician-to-physician (P2P) exemptions apply.

Using Medical Marijuana Telemedicine Services in Florida

Qualified medical marijuana patients please be advised that for the purposes of using medical marijuana telemedicine services online, in Florida:

• The State of Florida requires that, in order for a marijuana doctor to conduct a medical marijuana evaluation, the physician must first conduct a patient examination, in-person.
• A certified physician must conduct an in person physical exam while in the same room as the previously certified qualified patient at least once every thirty (30) weeks.

Useful Resources

• The Florida Board of Medicine Policy on Telemedicine
• Florida Administrative Code Notice: 17199863
• American Telemedicine Association — Florida
• Center For Connected Health Policy — Florida
• Physician Requirements – Florida Department Of Health: Office Of Medical Marijuana Use Low-THC Cannabis & Medical Marijuana

HIPAA is a federal law that protects the privacy of identifiable patient information, requires electronic and physical security standards related to the storage and use of PHI, and establishes standard transactions and code sets to simplify billing and other electronic transactions. HIPAA standards were updated in 2009 by the implementation of the HITECH Act and again in 2013 by the HIPAA Omnibus Rule. In accordance with HIPAA standards, MarijuanaDoctors.com is HITECH and BAA certified, and has put in place measures to protect the confidentiality of health information in any form, whether written, oral, or electronic.

Updated on October 31, 2018