The Flagler County Sheriff's Office is informing the public that signs for "legal weed" popping up around the county are fake — and are part of a statewide scam.

  • Signs popping up indicating you can get 'legal weed'
  • Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly: 'It's a scam'
  • Go here for more information on medical marijuana

Palm Coast and county official said people began to alert them to the signs in April. The signs have been spotted in Flagler, Volusia and other areas of the state.

A recording comes on when someone first dials the number posted on the sign: "Thank you for calling the Compliance Department of Florida Compassionate Use."

Callers are then prompted to select their age, license location and illness. "Congratulations, you pre-qualify to obtain a medical cannabis license," the recording states.

An agent and supervisor who were reached via phone Wednesday both claim their business is legitimate and that they're offering "medical marijuana licenses, membership or certificates so that one can legally purchase, carry and consume (medical marijuana)." The agent and supervisor said the patient would get 10 percent off a doctor visit and prescriptions for a one-time fee of $199.

The supervisor said the company isn't sure where the signs came from and that their corporate office was looking into the signs. When asked for a number to the corporate officer, the supervisor hung up the phone.

The Florida Department of Health said it's the only entity that issues identification cards and adds patients to the state’s Compassion Use Registry via the state’s Office of Compassionate Use. The department said it is not affiliated with the signs.

"If you call (the number on the sign), you're going to end up being parted from your money and not really gained anything," said Chief Mark Strobridge, of the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

Palm Coast Code Enforcement officers have found the signs in areas of the city that see heavy vehicle traffic near the big box stores. Officers are removing the signs when they see them. 

For more information regarding medical marijuana, go here.