Medical Marijuana

Important: please submit your medical records and contact information to get pre-qualified. We will contact you to schedule an appointment (don't book online). Submit all information to monica.jimenez@reyesmd.net

What conditions can benefit from medical marijuana?

Primarily, medical marijuana treats chronic pain. The sources of pain are quite varied, including ongoing headaches, neuropathy or nerve pain, glaucoma, or diseases such as cancer. There are other conditions and diseases with symptoms that may be eased using marijuana. These include:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Nausea from chemotherapy
• Effects of chronic illnesses such as weight loss and poor appetite due to diabetic neuropathy or HIV, for example
• Disorders that include seizures
• Multiple sclerosis, to control muscle spasms
• Pain relief for those with terminal illness

Medical marijuana may also be prescribed in Florida for any condition for which a physician feels its use outweighs its potential health risk.

How does medical marijuana work?

Your body already makes chemicals similar to those in marijuana. These substances can affect pain, inflammation, and other processes in your body. In some cases, the use of medical marijuana enhances the effects of the body’s natural chemicals. THC, a key active ingredient in marijuana, is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but a synthetic version has been approved as an ingredient in a couple of an oral prescription medications.

Unlike FDA-approved medications, medical marijuana isn’t monitored, so there’s no standard of strength or purity, and its side effects aren’t as thoroughly researched as many other products. Doctors can’t prescribe it for those under 18, and it’s not recommended for people with heart disease, those with a history of psychosis, or for pregnant women.

How do I obtain medical marijuana?

First, you need to get a medical marijuana card, and the first step is to establish that you’re a Florida resident. That’s easy enough using a Florida ID or driver’s license. 

Not all Florida physicians are approved to write medical marijuana prescriptions, so finding a physician like Dr. Reyes, who is qualified, is your second step. Upon completing the first two steps, you are added to the state registry of medical marijuana users and you receive your card. Then, medical marijuana dispensaries can fill your prescription.

According to Florida's Amendment 2, an expanded list of diagnosable conditions may be eligible for a medical marijuana recommendation, including: