Florida House Moves to Eliminate Medical Marijuana Fees for Veterans

Florida House Moves to Eliminate Medical Marijuana Fees for Veterans

In a promising move for veteran patients, a Florida House committee has approved a bill that would waive the annual $75 medical marijuana registration fee for veterans and ease the recertification process for all patients in the state’s medical cannabis program.

What the Bill Proposes

Known as HB 555, the bill would provide financial relief for veterans by removing the yearly registration fee required to maintain access to medical cannabis. Additionally, the legislation would extend the patient recertification requirement from every one year to every two years, easing both administrative burdens and recurring costs for patients.

Background on Florida’s Medical Marijuana Program

Florida’s medical marijuana program has expanded significantly since voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2016. The state now has over 905,000 registered patients, with conditions ranging from chronic pain and PTSD to cancer and epilepsy. These updates could offer added convenience and accessibility for those relying on medical cannabis for their health and well-being.

What’s Next?

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola) and was unanimously approved by the House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee. However, a Senate companion bill has yet to surface, and with the legislative session now past its halfway point, time may be running short to push it through both chambers.

Why It Matters

For veterans, many of whom use cannabis to manage conditions like PTSD and chronic pain, this fee waiver could make a meaningful difference. The proposed change to biennial recertification would also reduce the hassle and cost associated with maintaining legal access to medical marijuana across the board.

As Florida continues to refine its approach to medical cannabis, this bill reflects a growing commitment to patient support—especially for those who’ve served.