Medical marijuana doctor for Lakeland patients
Lakeland patients come to our Temple Terrace office once for the in-person exam Florida requires. It is about 33 miles from central Lakeland, roughly 45 minutes without traffic, by I-4 west, I-75 north, and Fowler Avenue. After that first visit, our physician can do your renewals by telehealth, so you are not driving I-4 twice a year.
| Drive from Lakeland | About 33 miles, roughly 45 minutes without traffic 1 |
|---|---|
| County | Polk (our office is in Hillsborough) 1 |
| First visit | In person at our Temple Terrace office 1 |
| Renewal evaluations | at least once every 30 weeks, by telehealth for existing patients 1 |
| State ID card fee | $75, paid to the Florida Department of Health (plus a $2.75 convenience fee when paying online) 2 |
Do you see patients in Lakeland?
Not in Lakeland itself. Our one office is in Temple Terrace, in Hillsborough County, and every first exam happens there.
Lakeland is in Polk County on I-4, between Tampa and Orlando. Because I-4 is a straight shot west, the trip is manageable for a single visit.
For Polk residents, that Temple Terrace suite is the only Horizon Releaf location. We do not hold visits anywhere in Polk County.
What route do Lakeland patients take?
From central Lakeland, reach I-4 west, for example by Kathleen Road (State Road 539). Stay on I-4 for about 21 miles to the I-75 interchange.
Take I-75 north a short distance to the Fowler Avenue exit, go west about two miles, and turn north on North 56th Street to East 131st Avenue.
We measured about 33 miles and roughly 45 minutes on open roads. I-4 near the Tampa end often slows at peak hours, so allow extra time.
- From south Lakeland: pick up I-4 west at the nearest interchange; the rest of the route is the same.
- Coming from Plant City along I-4: continue west to I-75 north.
Why is one trip required?
Florida law requires an in-person exam before the first certification. Before an initial certification, the physician must do an in-person physical exam, meaning the physician is physically in the same room as the patient.
Bring your Florida ID and any medical records. Having them on hand helps avoid a second drive.
What do telehealth renewals save a Lakeland patient?
A round trip is about 66 miles and often more than 90 minutes on I-4. Video renewals remove that drive.
Telehealth is allowed only for renewals: a physician who already certified the patient after an in-person physical exam may do that patient's later exams and re-evaluations by telehealth.
You will need a re-evaluation at least once every 30 weeks. Over a few years, that is several round trips on I-4 you can skip.
How can I make the I-4 drive easier?
Traffic on I-4 near Tampa tends to be heaviest at commute times. A midday appointment usually gives the smoothest drive in both directions.
Pack your documents the night before: your Florida license, a current medication list, and notes or test results from the clinician who manages your condition. Arriving with a complete file is the best way to keep this a single trip.
Plant City sits on I-4 between Lakeland and Tampa. If you live closer to it, your trip will be shorter than the 45 minutes we measured from central Lakeland.
Does living in Polk County change anything?
No. The medical marijuana program and the ID card are run by the Florida Department of Health for the whole state.
Lakeland patients sometimes ask whether Polk County has its own rules for certification. It does not; the same state statute applies in every county.
Your card fee is $75, paid to the Florida Department of Health (plus a $2.75 convenience fee when paying online), paid to the state. It is separate from our visit fee.
Common questions.
Do I have to drive from Lakeland for every renewal?
Just the first time. Once our physician has examined you face to face, Florida allows your later re-evaluations to be done over video, so the I-4 trip is usually a one-time event.
How far is your office from Lakeland?
About 33 miles, roughly 45 minutes without traffic, by I-4 west, I-75 north, and Fowler Avenue. I-4 traffic near Tampa can add time.
Can a Polk County resident see a physician in Hillsborough County?
Yes. Florida's program is statewide, so you can see any qualified physician in the state. Your eligibility depends on your condition and your Florida residency.
What should I bring so I only drive once?
Bring a valid Florida driver license or ID and any records about your condition, such as specialist notes, imaging reports, or a medication list. Complete records help the physician decide at the first visit.
Lakeland: one drive down I-4
Your in-person exam is in Temple Terrace; renewals can be done by video from Polk County.
Book your $85 evaluationTHE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT, OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT THAT IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED FEE, OR REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION, OR TREATMENT.
Sources
- Fla. Stat. § 381.986 (2026), Medical use of marijuana
- Florida DOH Office of Medical Marijuana Use — MMUR Identification Cards
- Fla. Stat. § 456.062 (2026), Advertisement of free or discounted services
- City-center coordinates and county: OpenStreetMap Nominatim, © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Driving distances and times: OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data, © OpenStreetMap contributors