Medical Cannabis

Patients use a lot of different names for the same appointment. Weed doctor. Pot doc. 420 doctor. What they are describing is a physician the State of Florida has qualified to certify patients for medical marijuana, and the questions below are the ones that come up most often in our office.

Is a weed doctor the same as a medical marijuana doctor?

Yes. Weed doctor, pot doc, 420 doctor, and cannabis doctor are all everyday names for what Florida law calls a qualified physician. To certify patients, a physician has to hold an active Florida medical license and complete the state course and examination. Dr. Julia Springs, MD, MPH is a board-certified physician and a qualified Florida medical marijuana doctor. The words you use to search do not change the standard of care you should expect once you are in the room.

How do I find a medical marijuana doctor near me in Tampa?

The Office of Medical Marijuana Use publishes a public list of qualified physicians that can be filtered by county. Two things are worth checking before you reserve anything. Florida requires your first evaluation to happen in person, so the office needs to be close enough to actually visit. And you will be with that physician for at least seven months, so it is fair to ask who you will be able to reach when a question comes up later. Doctor Springs is at 400 N Ashley Dr Ste 1900, in downtown Tampa.

Can I see a marijuana doctor near me without coming into the office?

Not for your first certification. Florida law requires the initial evaluation to be conducted in person, so every new patient begins with a visit to our downtown Tampa office. After that the rules relax. Established and transfer patients who qualify can complete recertification every 210 days through a secure telehealth appointment, which is what most of our patients do.

How much does a medical marijuana doctor near me charge in Tampa?

Physician fees around Tampa run from roughly $75 to $250, and the State of Florida charges a separate $77.75 for your registry identification card, paid directly to the Office of Medical Marijuana Use. At Doctor Springs a new patient evaluation is $149, recertification is $129, and transferring an active certification from another clinic is $99. Veterans pay $99 for recertification and receive discounted pricing on a new patient evaluation. The cheapest number on a sign is not always the lowest cost across a full certification period, so it is worth asking what each fee includes before you compare. We break down how much a medical marijuana card costs in Florida, state fee included, on a separate page.

Is a THC doctor different from a medical marijuana doctor?

No. THC and CBD are compounds found in cannabis, not medical specialties, so there is no separate kind of THC doctor to look for. What differs is the recommendation. A Florida certification specifies the route and the amount, and the balance that suits a patient managing chronic pain is often not the balance that suits someone managing anxiety. Dr. Springs discusses that at your visit and adjusts your orders during the certification period when it makes sense.

If you want the pricing and appointment details side by side, our medical marijuana clinic in Tampa page lays out what each visit costs and what it includes. If you are still working out whether you are eligible, the Florida qualifying conditions list explains what the state recognizes.