Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
“Ultimately, this case is likely to be decided in the (state) Supreme Court … It’s a new constitutional provision.”
That’s the plaintiffs’ attorney, Jon Mills, speaking on a podcast posted Wednesday about smokable medical marijuana in Florida.
Circuit Judge Karen Gievers already ordered that medicinal cannabis can be smoked in private under the 2016 state constitutional amendment on medical marijuana, striking down a smoking ban imposed by lawmakers and approved by Gov. Rick Scott.
On Tuesday, she overturned a delay of the effect of that ruling, automatically put in place because the state appealed. Gievers found the state would have “no likelihood of success” on appeal; her ruling will be the law of the land starting Monday.
Mills spoke with The Marijuana Solution podcast, “home of Florida’s longest running cannabis show.” The legal challenge over smoking was organized by Orlando attorney John Morgan, who bankrolled the 2016 state constitutional amendment allowing medicinal cannabis.
“It’s the kind of case the Supreme Court would take,” Mills said. “I think an important holding the judge made … was that the (plaintiffs), people like Cathy Jordan, had an immediate and irreparable harm because of the implementation of the” ban.
Jordan, who has Lou Gehrig’s disease, had testified she would likely not be alive were it not for her smoking of marijuana, which helps to dry saliva she might otherwise choke on.
Gievers’ order also protects legitimate patients who smoke marijuana from civil liability and prosecution.
Jordan has been “put in an untenable situation of ‘do I commit a crime’ or ‘do I use medicine that allows me to breathe and enjoy my life?’ That’s just not a position the (law) should put people in,” Mills said. “We just need to move forward.”
Evening Reads
“Donald Trump considering inviting Kim Jong Un to Mar-a-Lago” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Rick Scott wants line-item veto power for the president” via Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Former Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado selected as new director for Radio and TV Martí” via Nora Gamez Torres of the Miami Herald
“The price of beer could go up: How Donald Trump’s ‘trade war’ may hurt Rick Scott” via Steve Bousquet and Alex Leary of the Tampa Bay Times
“Andrew Gillum failed to disclose more than $400K in mortgage debts” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
“Sugar industry aims to influence Florida governor’s race with donations to Adam Putnam” via Ali Schmitz of TCPalm.com
“Ron DeSantis’ May report included more than $1M in old money” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics
“MedMen paying $53M to enter Florida medical marijuana market” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“On gay, equal rights, Orlando has come a long way, while Florida still fights” via Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel
“Hurricanes are moving more slowly — which makes them even more dangerous” via Chris Mooney of The Washington Post
Quote of the Day
“The NRA may not be happy with my answers, but the people of Florida certainly will be.” — Democratic candidate for Governor Philip Levine, commenting on the National Rifle Association’s questionnaire for candidates.
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Wake Up Early?
A weeklong sales-tax “holiday” for purchasing hurricane supplies will end Thursday night. Floridians can buy a wide range of supplies during the period without paying sales taxes.
Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican, is slated to be the keynote speaker during the second day of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s annual South Florida Brownfield Symposium. That’s at 8 a.m. Chateau Elan Hotel & Conference Center, 150 Midway Dr., Sebring.
A meeting of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission (agenda here) is scheduled for Thursday and Friday. Thursday’s session begins at 8:30 a.m., and Friday’s at 8 a.m., both at the BB&T Center Chairman’s Club, 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise. The meetings will also broadcast on The Florida Channel and streamed on its website.
The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees will meet after holding committee meetings. The board is expected to take up issues such as a memorandum of agreement for the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and plans to improve graduation rates. Committees start at 8:30 a.m., followed by the full board about 11 a.m., Florida A&M University, The Grand Ballroom, Tallahassee.
The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in three cases, including a dispute about whether a circuit judge should be disqualified from a case because she was a Facebook friend of an attorney representing one of the parties. Arguments begin at 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.
The Florida Transportation Commission is scheduled to hold a conference call at 10 a.m. Call-in number: 850-414-4972. Code: 490513.
The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to release its weekly opinions at 11 a.m.
Wayne Peacock, president of the Property and Casualty Insurance Group at USAA, is slated to speak to the Economic Club of Florida. That’s at 11:15 a.m., FSU Alumni Center, 1030 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.
Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich will speak and sign copies of his book, “Trump’s America,” during a Palm Beach Republican Club luncheon event. That’s at 12:30 p.m., The Colony Hotel, 155 Hammon Ave., Palm Beach.
Republican candidate for Governor Adam Putnam says he will make a “major announcement regarding security and safety issues facing Florida.” Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells, Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight and Tampa Police Benevolent Association members will participate. That’s at 2:30 p.m., Tampa PBA headquarters, 1302 W Busch Blvd., Tampa.
The Flagler County Young Republicans will hold a debate for GOP candidates in Congressional District 6, which became an open seat when U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis decided to run for governor. The Republican candidates in the congressional race are Fred Costello, Michael Waltz and John Ward. That’s at 5 p.m., Pine Lakes Golf Club, 400 Pine Lakes Parkway North, Palm Coast.
Democrat Tony Mowry, who is running in Sarasota County’s House District 74, will hold a campaign kickoff event. The seat opened when Rep. Julio Gonzalez, a Venice Republican, decided to run for Congress. That’s at 5 p.m., Off the Wagon Brewery, 2107 South Tamiami Trail, Venice.
The Florida Commission on Human Relations hosts the annual Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame induction ceremony. That’s at 7 p.m., FSU University Center Club, Doak Campbell Stadium, 403 Stadium Drive, Bldg. B, Tallahassee.
