Florida House Committee Unanimously Approves Bill to Cut Medical Marijuana Card Fee for Veterans by 80%

A measure that would substantially lower the cost for military veterans to obtain a medical marijuana card in Florida was approved today by the House Health & Human Services Committee by a vote of 22 to 0. House Bill 887 cleared the committee in a unanimous 22 to 0 vote, sending it to the full House for consideration. The legislation is sponsored by Representatives Susan Valdés (R) and Michelle Salzman (R).

If enacted, the bill would reduce the medical marijuana registry identification card fee for honorably discharged veterans from $75 to $15—an 80% decrease. The lower cost would apply not only to initial applications, but also to annual renewals and replacement cards issued by the Department of Health.

Under the proposal, veterans would be required to provide documentation verifying their service in order to qualify for the discounted fee. Acceptable forms of proof would include discharge paperwork, a Veterans Affairs identification card, or a Florida driver license that includes a veteran designation.

The measure is designed to ease financial barriers for veterans participating in the state’s medical marijuana program. If approved by the full Legislature and signed into law, the change would take effect July 1.