Florida Moves to Revoke Medical Marijuana Registrations After Drug Convictions

New Law Signed by Governor DeSantis Authorizes Strict Disqualifications for Cannabis Patients and Caregivers

A new Florida law is set to impose significant penalties on medical marijuana patients and caregivers who are charged with or convicted of drug-related crimes. Signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis this week, the legislation—Senate Bill 2514 (SB 2514)—grants the state the authority to revoke or suspend medical cannabis registrations based on criminal activity involving controlled substances.

While SB 2514 was introduced as part of a broader health and budget package, it contains targeted language aimed at limiting access to the state’s medical marijuana program for individuals found guilty of violating Florida drug laws. Critics of the measure warn that the new policy could create further stigmatization of patients and discourage participation in the state-approved medical cannabis system.

State Law Requires Automatic Registration Hold During Pending Legal Proceedings

Under the newly enacted law, registrations for medical marijuana patients or their caregivers will be automatically suspended the moment they are charged with a drug-related offense under state law. This provision applies whether or not the charge ultimately results in a conviction, and the suspension remains in place until the case reaches final resolution in court.

This approach means that even individuals who are eventually found not guilty or whose cases are dismissed may experience prolonged suspensions of their medical cannabis access—raising concerns about due process, medical continuity, and unintended legal consequences for vulnerable patients.

State Will Cancel Access for Drug Trafficking, Distribution, or Intent to Sell

If the individual is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to specific drug offenses—such as trafficking, manufacture, or possession with intent to sell a controlled substance—the Florida Department of Health (DOH) will be legally required to revoke their registration entirely.

The law applies regardless of whether adjudication is withheld, ensuring that even first-time offenders may lose access to their medical marijuana authorization if they’re found guilty of serious drug-related crimes. While these provisions target more severe offenses, critics argue the law could cast too wide a net, especially if future enforcement includes gray areas in cannabis possession or distribution.

Earlier Draft Would Have Punished Those Merely Purchasing Illegal Cannabis

Earlier drafts of the legislation proposed even stricter criteria, including revoking registrations for patients who had merely purchased more than 10 grams of illegal marijuana for personal use. That language was ultimately removed from the final bill, signaling a legislative compromise that focused punishment more narrowly on drug production and trafficking.

Nonetheless, the remaining provisions still represent a notable policy shift in the state’s approach to medical marijuana oversight, particularly in how the criminal justice system intersects with medical access and patient rights.

Patients Must Submit New Applications With Legal Compliance Declarations

For those whose registrations are revoked, the law does provide a mechanism for reinstatement. Patients or caregivers may reapply by submitting a new application that includes a notarized statement confirming they have completed all related legal obligations—such as incarceration, probation, or supervised release.

However, the reinstatement process is discretionary, meaning the Department of Health will determine on a case-by-case basis whether to approve the application. This could introduce long delays and inconsistent outcomes for those attempting to regain access to medical treatment following legal infractions.

Department of Health May Need to Review Patient Records for Prior Offenses

One unresolved issue surrounding the law is its retroactive impact. The bill does not explicitly state whether it applies solely to new drug charges filed after its enactment or whether it empowers the Department of Health to review and revoke registrations based on past convictions.

This ambiguity could affect thousands of current medical marijuana patients and caregivers with historical drug charges on their records. Without clear guidance, the interpretation and implementation of the law may vary, potentially sparking legal challenges or the need for regulatory clarification in the months ahead.

Home Cultivation, Veterans’ Access, and Workplace Protections Were All Rejected

The passage of SB 2514 stands in contrast to a series of defeated proposals that aimed to expand Florida’s medical marijuana program. During this year’s legislative session, lawmakers rejected measures that would have:

• Allowed patients to grow cannabis at home
• Added new qualifying medical conditions
• Protected parental rights and employment for registered patients
• Waived registration fees for military veterans

The state’s continued refusal to broaden patient protections, combined with stricter enforcement policies, paints a picture of a medical marijuana system that remains under intense political and regulatory scrutiny despite growing public acceptance.

New Campaign Seeks to Succeed Where Amendment 3 Fell Short in 2024

While medical marijuana access is facing new restrictions, cannabis advocates are once again working to legalize adult-use marijuana in Florida through a 2026 ballot initiative. Following the failure of Amendment 3 in 2024—despite majority support but not enough to pass the 60 percent supermajority requirement—the Smart & Safe Florida campaign is pushing forward with a revised measure.

As of last month, the group had collected over 377,000 valid voter signatures, exceeding the threshold to trigger a judicial and fiscal review. If approved by the courts, the initiative could appear on the ballot for voters to decide in the next general election cycle.

New Provisions Ban Public Smoking and Clarify Legislative Oversight

To improve the initiative’s chances in 2026, Smart & Safe Florida made several key revisions to the ballot language, including:

• Banning the public smoking and vaping of marijuana
• Requiring the state legislature to regulate the time, place, and manner of public consumption
• Narrowing the scope of legalization to address law enforcement and public health concerns

These changes appear designed to defuse political opposition and address criticisms raised by Governor DeSantis and others during the 2024 campaign.

Governor Remains Strong Opponent of Constitutional Cannabis Reform

Despite the campaign’s adjustments, Governor DeSantis has forecasted legal trouble ahead for the revised 2026 initiative. He believes the measure could be blocked by the Florida Supreme Court, continuing his long-standing opposition to placing marijuana policy in the state constitution.

This outlook echoes the broader strategy among GOP leaders in Florida, many of whom remain hesitant to embrace full legalization—even as public support for reform continues to rise across party lines.

Voter Surveys Reflect Bipartisan Majority for Adult-Use Cannabis Access

Recent polling data indicates that Florida voters may be more ready for marijuana reform than their elected officials. A February poll showed 67 percent support statewide, including backing from 82 percent of Democrats, 66 percent of independents, and 55 percent of Republicans.

However, these results are contradicted by a Florida Chamber of Commerce survey showing only 53 percent support—below the 60 percent required to pass a constitutional amendment. These conflicting numbers point to the high-stakes nature of the 2026 campaign, where messaging, turnout, and legal clarity will all be essential.

Cannabis Reform in Florida Remains a Battleground as 2026 Approaches

With SB 2514 now law, Florida continues to navigate a complex intersection of cannabis policy, criminal justice, and constitutional rights. As advocates push for broader legalization, patients face new barriers to access based on past or pending legal issues.

Whether these conflicting forces will resolve through future legislation or ballot initiatives remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the fight over marijuana reform in Florida is far from over.