Editor’s note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana
Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University.
During Florida’s 2025 Legislative Session, legislators passed Senate Bill 2514 (see flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/2514 for more information), which includes a provision that medical marijuana patients should be aware of. Signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, it introduces the prospect of some patients immediately losing the ability to legally use medical cannabis if convicted of involvement in illegal drug activity.
Sha’Ron James, a Tallahassee-based lawyer and lobbyist with expertise in healthcare and cannabis policies, clarifies, “A simple possession [of illicit marijuana] would not fall within the scope of this law.”
Enforcement is handled by FDOH’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), which issues registration cards to patients and caregivers (visit knowthefactsmmj.com for more information).
“Currently, no system notifies patients if their registration is revoked, and law enforcement doesn’t automatically alert the Department,” James notes.
It is unclear if suspensions will be reported to doctors or dispensaries, with such details being clarified by future rulemaking. In the meantime, cardholders must monitor their status themselves, because a revoked card means that possessing medical marijuana is no longer legal.
Anyone who loses a medical marijuana ID under the law can apply again by submitting a new application and a notarized statement confirming they have completed all jail time, probation, or other court-ordered supervision.
Visit bit.ly/MMERIAugust2025 to watch MMERI’s Conversations on Cannabis Virtual Forum featuring attorney Sha’Ron James discussing “How a New Law Could Affect Medical Marijuana Patients.”
