Florida GOP Lawmaker Files Bill to Expand Medical Marijuana Access for Patients Prescribed Opioids

A new medical marijuana expansion bill has just been filed in the Florida Legislature that could be a game-changer for patients struggling with pain and opioid dependence. The proposal was introduced by Republican state Rep. Bill Partington for the 2026 session and represents one of the most significant efforts this year to broaden access to cannabis for therapeutic use.

What the Bill Would Do

House Bill 719 would create several key reforms to Florida’s medical cannabis program, including:

Opioid Prescription as a Qualifying Pathway

Under the proposal, any patient who has been prescribed opioids for a condition would become eligible for a medical marijuana recommendation—opening the program to many more Floridians who are managing chronic pain, injury, or conditions for which opioids are currently prescribed. This is a significant departure from the traditional list-based qualifying conditions that have historically limited access in Florida.

Longer Validity and Easier Access

The bill would allow medical marijuana registration cards to be valid for up to two years instead of the current shorter renewal schedule. It would also permit physicians to recommend cannabis via telehealth for initial certifications after an in-person visit—reducing a major barrier for many patients, especially in remote or underserved areas.

Veterans and Reciprocity

Honorably discharged military veterans would have their registration fees waived under the bill, and visiting patients already enrolled in medical cannabis programs in other states could receive a Florida medical marijuana card quickly through a reciprocal system.

Supply Limits Adjusted

Physicians could authorize more generous medical cannabis supplies, including expanded quantities of smokable marijuana—an important detail for patients whose doctors determine that delivery method best meets their therapeutic needs.

Why This Matters

Florida’s medical marijuana program has long been one of the largest in the nation, but restrictions on qualifying conditions have kept it narrowly focused despite growing awareness that cannabis can serve as an effective alternative to opioids for many patients. Numerous studies show that medical cannabis access is associated with reductions in opioid prescriptions and overdose deaths, signaling public health benefits when patients can choose cannabis over more dangerous pain medications (see Marijuana Moment newsletter, December 9, 2025).

By tying eligibility to opioid prescriptions, this bill acknowledges the lived experiences of countless Floridians who seek safer, less addictive pain management options. It also aligns with nationwide trends in states looking to reduce reliance on opioids and expand therapeutic cannabis access.

A Broader Shift in Florida Cannabis Policy?

This proposal follows earlier efforts at medical marijuana reform in Florida, including bills to expand qualifying conditions, offer telehealth access, and even allow home cultivation for registered patients. While past expansion measures have sometimes stalled or failed, the opioid-based eligibility approach may carve out a new bipartisan pathway forward in a Legislature that has traditionally been hesitant to broaden cannabis access.

What’s Next

HB 719 has been filed for the upcoming legislative session and will now be assigned to committees for review, hearings, and amendments before potentially reaching the House and Senate floors. Advocacy from patient groups, medical professionals, and cannabis reform organizations like Suncoast NORML will be critical in shaping the bill and ensuring that lawmakers understand the human impact behind the policy numbers.