Trulieve opens medical marijuana dispensary in Clearwater

CLEARWATER, Fla.- Florida’s second medical marijuana dispensary opened Thursday in Clearwater, following the opening of the first dispensary less than a month ago in Tallahassee.

Trulieve now runs the state’s only two dispensaries and has plans to open more soon.

“I can’t do small things with my hands like put a screw in,” said Pat Caudill who’s suffered from debilitating tremors for the past 20 years. “I can’t use pliers. I can’t eat soup.”

Caudill, who calls marijuana a “godsend,” purchased his first order at the dispensary on Thursday.

“I’ve been taking tremor medication before but it doesn’t work and so I quit taking it,” Caudill said. “I’ve taken this two weeks now and it’s cut my tremors in half.”

Though smoking marijuana remains illegal in Florida, Trulieve offers alternatives such as gel capsules, syringes, or vaporizers.

Sales are strictly regulated. Purchases are not covered by insurance and currently only patients who are terminally ill, have cancer, or suffer from seizures or muscle spasms can qualify. Only doctors registered with the state can offer prescriptions.

“It’s kind of being a pioneer, and I think in a few years it will be very, just mainstream,” said Doctor Kathy Anderson, one of the less than 70 doctors in the state able to offer prescriptions.

In November, Florida voters will once again have the opportunity to legalize medical marijuana to everyone with a debilitating condition if they have a prescription.

“I don’t want to get high or anything like that, I just want to get better,” said Caudill, adding he knows there’s still a stigma surrounding pot use.

Trulieve also delivers products statewide for anyone who qualifies for medical marijuana.