CannaMD Opens 2 Marijuana Clinics in Orlando Area for MS Patients, Others

CannaMD plans two medical marijuana clinics in the Orlando area to evaluate patients for entry in the Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry. The first clinic opened Jan. 17 in the suburb of Dr. Phillips; the second will open Jan. 25 in the Lake County town of Mt. Dora.

CannaMD is a statewide network of doctors and clinics that aims to provide alternative medicine to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other diseases. In recent years, medical marijuana has become a popular way to treat pain, muscle spasms and other symptoms.

“We understand the heartache and discouragement experienced by patients and their family members as they search for a better way to manage debilitating health conditions,” the company’s founder, Ryan Scotson, said in a press release. “Our patients receive individualized care and we are dedicated to sharing our knowledge by educating the public about the benefits of medical marijuana.”

The registry is an online database that lets patients and physicians order medical marijuana. To enter, patients must first be evaluated in person by a certified physician. Only after a doctor determines that they qualify for medical marijuana can patients be registered.

Dr. Jason Schultz will supervise CannaMD’s Dr. Phillips clinic. Dr. Thomas Brown will run the Mt. Dora clinic.

At both clinics, doctors will enter orders for the dosages and types of marijuana products that patients should receive. Afterwards, patients and their legal caretakers, if applicable, are issued cards that must be shown every time they wish to buy such products from a local dispensary or medical marijuana treatment center.

To qualify for the Florida registry, patients must be state residents diagnosed with MS, epilepsy, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Crohn’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or post-traumatic stress disorder. Seasonal residents who are registered to vote in another state but live in Florida for at least 31 consecutive days every year are also eligible.

The CannaMD clinics will see patients only via appointment by calling (855) 420-9170, or by applying online for a medical marijuana certificate.

The Medical Marijuana Use Registry is the culmination of years of efforts that led to November 2016 approval of the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, also known as Amendment 2. The Medical Use of Marijuana Act in June 2017 allowed the implementation of new rules to make medical marijuana available for Floridians.