Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
The state’s medical marijuana regulators are holding rule-making hearings Thursday — seemingly without addressing two major concerns from lawmakers.
The hearings, which begin at 9 a.m., cover changes to the application process to become a medical marijuana provider, and to some legal definitions.
A new proposed rule, however, still includes a $60,000 “nonrefundable application fee” to become a marijuana provider, and doesn’t remove provisions for “contingent” licenses.
The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC) has objected to both, saying they weren’t mentioned in state law passed to ‘implement’ Florida’s constitutional amendment on medicinal cannabis.
The committee, which ensures that agencies write rules that line up with statutes passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor, has long had problems with medical marijuana rule-making.
Its coordinator, Kenneth Plante, sent a letter earlier this month to the Department of Health’s top lawyer, asking whether the Department was simply “refusing to modify the rules.” It regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use.
Health Department spokesman Devin Galetta has said the agency is “committed to pushing forward … and look(s) forward to working with JAPC to finalize these rules as quickly as possible in order to meet our goals.”
The hearings take place at the Betty Easley Conference Center, Room 148, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.
Evening Reads
“Federal judge says Trump violates First Amendment by blocking critic on Twitter” via The Associated Press
“Oil drilling ban in eastern Gulf is shot down” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Rick Scott overrules elections chief, directs Florida to seek cybersecurity money” via Steve Bousquet of the Tampa Bay Times
“Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s insurance overseer, once sanctioned in apparent insurance glitch” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics
“Publix boycott movement forces tough decisions” via Gary White of The Ledger
“Feds are investigative cracks in the FIU bridge — cracks they didn’t want public to see” via Andres Viglucci and Nicholas Nehamas of the Miami Herald
“Vern Buchanan continues steady TV ad campaign” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Airport mass shooter Esteban Santiago ‘wasn’t really thinking about it’ when he killed five” via Paula McMahon of the Sun Sentinel
“City looks for answers after zombie alert sent to residents” via The Associated Press
“NFL owners approve team-by-team anthem policy, will allow players to remain in locker room” via Mark Maske of The Washington Post
Quote of the Day
“This season, all league and team personnel shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem. Personnel who choose not to stand … may stay in the locker room … Today’s decision will keep our focus on the game and the extraordinary athletes who play it — and on our fans who enjoy it.” — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, in a statement released by the league.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
Florida Power & Light will host a breakfast and tour of the FPL Coral Farms Solar Energy Center in Putnam County. The breakfast is at 9 a.m., followed by a media tour at 10:30 a.m., starting at the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, 1100 Reid St., Palatka.
The Florida Development Finance Corporation Board of Directors will hold a workshop, followed by a board meeting. The workshop is at 9 a.m., with the board meeting at 2 p.m., both at Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Dr., Jacksonville.
The Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use will hold two hearings about proposed rules related to medical-marijuana treatment centers. They begin at 9 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.
The Florida Transportation Commission will hold a conference call and discuss issues such as construction delays created by utility companies. That’s at 10 a.m. Call-in number: 850-414-4973. PIN: 223188.
Sen. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican, is slated to take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Sulzbacher Village, which will provide housing for low-income women and families. That’s at 10 a.m., Sulzbacher Village, 5455 Springfield Blvd., Jacksonville.
The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to release its weekly opinions at 11 a.m.
Orlando-area entrepreneur and Democratic candidate for Governor Chris King will continue his statewide “Turning the Tide” tour on criminal justice reform. He meets with North Florida faith leaders at 3:15 p.m., Mount Sinai Baptist Church, 2036 Silver St., Jacksonville. He later will address Jacksonville Democrats on his reform plan, 6:30 p.m., Florida Coastal School of Law Atrium, 8787 Baypine Road, Jacksonville.
The Florida Department of Transportation will hold an open house on plans to add two new lanes to eight miles of State Road 60, between County Road 630 in Polk County and the Kissimmee River Bridge in Osceola County. That’s at 5 p.m. Westgate River Ranch, Main Hall, 3200 River Ranch Blvd., River Ranch.
House Democratic Leader Janet Cruz of Tampa, who is running in Senate District 18, will hold a campaign event. She’s expected to be joined by attorney Bob Buesing, who had planned to try to unseat GOP Sen. Dana Young in the district. He dropped out of the race after Cruz announced her candidacy. That’s at 5:30 p.m., Pane Rustica, 3225 South MacDill Ave., Tampa.
A campaign event will be held for Democrat Darryl Block, running in Seminole County’s House District 29. Block is trying to unseat Republican Rep. Scott Plakon. That’s at 7:30 p.m., CJ’s Italian Kitchen, 165 Wekiva Springs Road, #119, Longwood.
