Florida residents know that hurricane season can disrupt daily life with little warning. From extended power outages to road closures and store shutdowns, severe weather can make it difficult to access essential supplies. For medical cannabis patients, that means preparing ahead of time so you have the medication and emergency resources you may need before the storm arrives.

Let’s go through some hurricane safety tips so you can feel comfortable and relaxed when the wind picks up.

Build A Hurricane Emergency Kit

1.        Water

During a hurricane, floodwaters or damaged pipes could disrupt your water supply. For Florida hurricane preparedness, the Department of Homeland Security recommends having 1 gallon of water per person per day for several days. Don’t forget extra for pets!

2.        Food

Have several days' worth of non-perishable food, and choose foods that your family will eat.

·      Canned meats, fruits, and vegetables (don’t forget the can opener)

·      Protein bars

·      Dry cereal or granola

·      Nut butters

·      Baby food if needed

·      Include comfort food like chips, sweets, and snacks.

3.        Important documents

Lease paperwork, insurance documentation, medical records, or financial information should be kept in a waterproof container.

4.        Cash

If power is down, so are electronic payments. It’s important to have some cash on hand in case you need to make purchases before power is restored.

DHS provides a more detailed checklist here.

Refill Your Medication, Including Cannabis

If roads or businesses close due to a hurricane in Florida, you may not be able to access refills for your medication for several days or longer. Hurricane season safety includes having enough of your medicine to last through this time, so you don’t get stuck without important treatment.

Storms can be stressful and disruptive. Patients who use medical cannabis as part of their treatment plan should ensure they have enough medication on hand before severe weather arrives.

Conditions that may become harder to manage during a hurricane include:

·      Anxiety or panic attacks

·      Arthritis

·      PTSD

·      Nausea

·      Stress-related pain

·      Muscle cramps or soreness

·      Insomnia

Don’t get caught without important medication. Consider having a backup supply of THC products:

·      Extra THC vape cartridges

·      Gummies or chocolates (doubles as a rewarding treat during anxious times)

·      Pre-rolls for easy flower hits without needing to roll your own

·      Theragels for convenient dosing without needing a charged battery or flame

Pro Tip: Medical marijuana patients in Florida should keep cannabis flower, pre-rolls, vapes, and batteries in a water-tight container in case of leaks or flooding. Have a lighter and/or matches in your kit for your pre-rolls and flower when conditions are dry enough.

Remember that the Florida Department of Health limits medical marijuana supply quantities. But a qualified physician may request an increase for you through an online form, so check with your doctor.

Prepare for Hurricane Power Outages and Travel Disruptions

If power goes out during a hurricane, it’s important to have devices that are fully charged. If there is a possibility of a storm making landfall near you, keep your devices on their chargers ahead of time. That way if the power goes out, you’ll be at 100%.

This includes cell phones, vape batteries, flashlights, or portable battery packs.

Stay Connected with Surterra during Hurricane Season

Subscribe to our mailing list to get important updates about store closures, product availability, safety, and valuable discounts that could help you keep your supply well-stocked. We’ll keep you updated so that you can stay safe and stay prepared!

Conclusion: Stay Safe, Stay Prepared, Stay Supplied

Hurricane season is unpredictable, but preparation doesn't have to be. Building an emergency kit, storing enough water and food, preparing for outages, and ensuring you have adequate medication on hand can help make a stressful situation more manageable. Taking a few simple steps now can give you greater peace of mind when severe weather approaches.

Stop by your local Surterra today or shop online to take advantage of any deals that can help you build your backup safety kit during hurricane season! We’re here with you, and always ready to help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1.        How much water should I have for a hurricane?

Emergency officials recommend storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days. Be sure to account for drinking, food prep, sanitation, and pets when building your emergency supply.

2.        Will my dispensary close during a hurricane?

Surterra will follow guidance from local authorities and take whatever steps are necessary to keep our staff and customers safe. Flooding and power outages may cause us to close locations that are hit by severe weather. Check our website list to stay up to date on dispensary closures and product availability.

3.        How much medical cannabis should I have before a hurricane?

It’s a good idea to ensure you have enough medical cannabis to last through potential storm-related disruptions. Consider refilling early when a storm is forecasted rather than waiting until the last minute. We’ll be happy to help you stay supplied.

4.        How should I store medical marijuana during a hurricane?

Keep your cannabis products in their original packaging and store them in a cool, dry place in a waterproof container. This can help protect flower, pre-rolls, electronic vape hardware, and edibles from moisture, leaks, or flooding.

5.        What should I do if I lose power during a hurricane?

Charge phones, portable batteries, flashlights, and vape devices before the storm arrives. Having backup charging options can help you stay connected and maintain access to battery-powered medical cannabis devices.

6.        Can hurricanes affect medical conditions?

For many people, hurricanes can increase stress and disrupt normal routines. Conditions such as anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, arthritis, and insomnia may become more difficult to manage during and after a severe storm.

7.        What should medical cannabis patients include in a hurricane emergency kit?

In addition to water, food, flashlights, batteries, and important documents, medical cannabis patients should consider packing their medications, chargers, vape batteries, lighters (when safe to use), and any other supplies they rely on regularly.

8.        When should I start preparing for a hurricane?

The best time to prepare is before a storm approaches. Building an emergency kit, reviewing evacuation plans, and refilling medications early can help reduce last-minute stress when hurricane watches and warnings are issued.

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