Navigating Florida’s dispensaries, especially for new patients, can be a bit overwhelming. So many companies, so many different products, sales, specials, and things to consider. How does one start? This post aims to help you understand the structure of Florida’s dispensary system and some tips for making the most of your shopping experience.
Florida Dispensaries - Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTC)
In Florida, dispensaries are called MMTCs or Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers. These companies are vertically integrated, meaning they perform all aspects of the process from seed to sale - cultivation to retail distribution. Each MMTC has different products unique to their operation. Sometimes products from one company will go out of stock, so it’s helpful to try different MMTCs and find products from each that work well for you. You may purchase from as many dispensaries as you like, given you stay within the confines of your recommendation. You are not legally bound to purchase from one MMTC.
OMMU List of Approved MMTCs: https://knowthefactsmmj.com/mmtc/
List of MMTC’s, Discounts, and Delivery Options: https://www.kristinarisola.com/floridas-mmtcs
Purchasing Medical Cannabis
Every dispensary has access to the Medical Marijuana Use Registry and can see the recommendation that has been entered by your physician. You are able to buy whatever cannabis products you prefer within the confines of your recommendation. Your recommendation includes daily dosages which are multiplied by the number of days in your recommendation to calculate your max purchasing limit for each delivery route. You are not required to purchase your entire milligram limit at one time. Instead, the system works like a bank account with your purchases deducted from your total available balance every time you make a purchase. Remaining milligrams are forfeited on their expiration date. Scheduled orders will start automatically, effectively resetting the available balance. You can keep track of the balance within the State Registry.
Example Registry Recommendation Orders
Florida Medical Cannabis Shopping Tips - Navigating FL Dispensaries
Prior to making a purchase review company websites and product options. Be familiar with their offerings and make a list of any questions you may have to ask during your visit. Research your condition and cannabis to help you choose products that will best meet your specific needs. Leafly.com is a great resource for this.
Some Florida dispensaries can be crowded and very busy. If you are prone to anxiety in these settings you may want to avoid shopping in store during sales, holidays, and special events. Utilize delivery services if needed.
The quality of assistance and guidance from dispensaries vary. Self advocate and ask informed questions. If you need additional assistance - ask for it and don’t be afraid to check with your doctor for guidance. Dispensary workers are typically entry level retail staff, not medical personnel, so keep this in mind. We often recommend our patients avoid certain dispensaries due to their lack of knowledge and poor guidance. Please hear this advice.
Prices, products, locations, delivery options, and discounts vary by company. Utilize new patient discounts to alleviate the costs of experimentation. Many dispensaries also offer low-income, pediatric, veteran, birthday, and other discounts. Always ask “do I have any discounts available today?” A current list of dispensary discount options can be found here.
Many MMTCs also offer rewards and loyalty programs. Sign up for these and utilize your rewards to your advantage. Save your points and stock up. Also sign up for MMTC email and text updates for sale notifications.
If you have an issue related to the product itself (example leaky cartridge, defective vape pen) contact the MMTC it was purchased from. While not all, most MMTCs have standards in place to replace or otherwise address defective product.
Many Florida dispensaries provide online ordering for in store pickup or delivery. This is a great option for saving time and ensuring stock prior to making the trip to the dispensary. Policy varies by MMTC, but most will notify you when your order is ready for pick up or if your items aren’t in stock.
Verify your orders within the MMUR and understand what has recommended for you. As the MMUR can be glitchy and physicians & MMTC’s can make mistakes, we recommend checking your orders prior to all purchases. You will not be able to purchase without an active order or if you maxed out your milligrams or smokable flower.
Do your research and compare products across dispensaries. Use price per milligram to compare the best deals. To determine, divide the price by total # of milligrams. Don’t forget to factor in any available discounts.
Example:
230mg vape pen sold for $25 = 25/230 = $0.108/mg
600mg vape cart sold for $74 = 74/600 = $0.1233/mg
600mg vape cart sold for $90 = 90/600 = $0.15/mg
Don’t purchase a huge quantity of products until you experiment and know what works best for you.
MMTC’s charge a premium to make things for you - edibles, tinctures, topicals, vape cartridges, etc. A little DIY effort can go a long way in reducing costs. Filling your own vaporizer cartridges, mixing your own tinctures, and making your own creams, edibles, or capsules from available oils are all ways to reduce spending.
