House panel approves expansion of medical marijuana

More Floridians could have access to medical marijuana under a proposal that cleared a House panel this week.

The House Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday voted 17-0 to approve a proposal that expands the 2015 Right to Try Act to include cannabis.

The committee combined two proposals — HB 307 sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican and HB 1313 sponsored by Rep. Jason Brodeur, a Sanford Republican — into one bill, and creates new regulatory standards for dispensing organizations, including standards for maintaining Department of Health approval.

“Part of the challenge we had was creating a uniquely Florida solution where medical cannabis is not just a veneer for recreational cannabis, but is truly intended to help the most vulnerable among us,” Gaetz said.

Perhaps most notably, the bill allows the Department of Health to add more medical marijuana dispensing organizations if certain thresholds are met.

In November, the Department of Health awarded licenses to five nurseries for cultivation and distribution. Proponents of medical marijuana have said five agencies might not be enough to handle the demand going forward.

Under the House plan, the Department of Health can authorize three additional dispensing organizations once 250,000 qualified patients register in the compassionate use registry.

“This has been a very long journey,” said Louis Rotundo, a lobbyist with the Florida Medical Cannabis Association. “This is a positive next step. I think these two bills are much better than they were individually.”

The Right to Try act allows terminally ill patients to try experimental treatments that have passed the first phase of a clinical trial, but haven’t been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Under the House plan, eligible patients would be able to purchase medical marijuana from dispensing organizations.

“The light at the end of the tunnel has never been closer to patients in need,” said Gaetz.

The House proposal now heads to the House floor. A similar Senate proposal (SB 460), sponsored by Fleming Island Republican Sen. Rob Bradley, is poised for a vote of the full Senate.