A.G. Gancarski
The concept of a 10% THC cap on medical cannabis has been floated without success in Tallahassee, but the House Speaker would like to revisit the proposal.
Whereas what has been contemplated is a 10% cap on flower (“mids,” as they call it on the street), Rep. Jose Oliva believes that a cap on the level of the psychoactive compound makes sense for all cannabis products.
“I think it’s important that we pass it,” Oliva said Thursday after the House adjourned.
“We’re seeing different strains now in Europe that are 100 times stronger, and we’re starting to learn that this has some schizophrenic results, especially in young, developing brains.”
“It is in fact a priority for us,” Oliva added.
“In talking with the Senate President over the summer, he felt it was important to take a serious look at this,” Oliva noted. “Again, I think it’s still early, and I feel confident we’ll be able to get something done.”
While flower in Florida’s medical cannabis program includes low-THC strains such as Charlotte’s Web and ACDC, patients typically prize variants more laden with THC.
Levels currently approach 25% with some strains’ most favorable grows.
However, that number pales in comparison to vapes, dabs and other assorted distillates, where concentrations of the substance can be as high as 90%.
“We would like to see a general THC limit,” Oliva said.
Ahead of the Legislative Session, House committees heard cautionary tales about pernicious cannabis, with experts and skeptics drawing links between marijuana legalization and underworld nefarity.
Despite the House’s apparent goal, legislation is not moving to impose that cap.
And one prominent Senator from Oliva’s party is skeptical.
Sen. Rob Bradley, the Senate budget chair, said “this is not a new concept. It was discussed last Session.”
“We actually don’t have a bill in the Senate that does that right now that I’m aware of. We’ve never had a hearing on it,” Bradley said.
“What I said before and I’ll say again is I’m open to having any discussion on health policy matters,” Bradley said.
“Let’s hear what the argument is. I’ve never really heard the argument. I’ve heard some anecdotal things about why it’s a good idea or a bad idea. But I’ve never heard a long, substantive presentation at a hearing on the matter,” Bradley added.
“I’m sure I’m like many of my fellow Senators that we’re going to reserve judgement until we hear those arguments,” the Senator continued.
13 comments
Thomas Smith
February 13, 2020 at 10:07 pm
This is as dumb as it gets. Letting someone with no real knowledge dictate what’s good for Florida residents.
Steve
February 14, 2020 at 5:40 am
Berenson is Fake Science. What a joke. There will be some sham hearings where actual scientists are not allowed to talk and token debate. Can see where this is going.
Lisl unrath
February 14, 2020 at 2:17 pm
No cap on thc!don’t these people know you CAN NOT OVERDOSE on CANNABIS or DIE from it!Later makers need a serious education on this subject!
Chaz
February 15, 2020 at 7:13 pm
It’s been safe for over 4,000 years! Congress is the ones that screwed it up in the first place! And the Feds need to go. I mean some companies paying outrageous taxes and the Feds can come raid them? So stupid you need to be in pain like lots of us have! Do you ever get back pain? How bad can that be? I have that and had 4 surgeries and still have pain and also neck pain all from a accident. Chronic pain. You need to read about all the different strains and what they help. Here I will educate you.go to Amsterdammarijuanaseedcompany.com and you can understand what and why it would be stupid to put a limit on cannabis.
Elisabeth Whetstone
February 14, 2020 at 5:40 am
I depend on Medical Cannabis in order to function with less pain. It has taken the place of TEN pharmaceuticals that were destroying my body. By placing a cap on THC, the State of Florida will cause many patients like myself, a 56 year old chronically ill human, to have to intake much larger quantities of cannabis in order to find relief. This seems like a way for the State to make more money without taking compassion into account. Please do not limit THC percentages.
Chaz
February 15, 2020 at 7:16 pm
It will just cause peeps to grow it. They have many of indoor plants that will grow well. Check out my link I posted. It’s all about the money with them
Ken
February 17, 2020 at 10:11 pm
By now, everybody knows that over regulating or making something illegal only benefits the free market. If they were to cap at 10% THC, the dispensaries would have a hell of a time competing with that bunk! And tax revenue would be lost. The only thing that will stabilize the market is allowing adults to choose between dispensary or cultivation, like they do in Colorado.
Jennifer
February 20, 2020 at 9:52 am
A 10% cap is ridiculous, I use Medical Marijuana for chronic pain, sleep issues, narcolepsy, anxiety, nerve damage. At one point I was taking 15 pills 4 times a day and now I take 2 pills twice a day. A 10% cap would hurt many of us, we would have to buy double and the limit on flower is only 2.5 ounces every 35 days. How are they going to make concentrates at 10%? Legalize marijuana, we need to be able to grow our own medicine. Let’s put a 10% limit on the strength of alcohol. I bet this guy goes home and throws a few drinks back a night, that is for pleasure. When I go home and light a joint that’s medicating. Stop this war on Marijuana and move on to something actually important in Florida like red tide, Lake O water release, education, healthcare etc.
Jill Evans
February 21, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Why would you do this except for greed . People are getting off opiates in record amounts. That is a fact . We need cannabis in full spectrum unadulterated all natural no caps. Its the one medicine that cures many things mental and physical. I have been smoking for decades have been on and off benzodiazepines & seizure medication now for over 10 years. Jose it doesnt and never has caused mental illness its not a gate way drug. Its non toxic and new patients shouldnt use concentrates . Regulate that . New patients always need small amounts , veteran patients like me find this insulting and a waste of our precious money we get little of for living wages in Florida. There are thousands of us veteran patients here in Florida that won’t stand for unacceptable control of flowers that should be regulated like beer . Cannabis and Hops are in the same herb family . Its simple so keep it that way for your taxpaying citizens that voted for this and won .
Tony
February 23, 2020 at 6:45 pm
This is not what the people voted for. Stop this nonsense. Not only would it just push people back to the street and growing their own, but the economy and the citizens gain nothing. If the ultimate idea is people will just buy more from the dispensary, no they won’t. There are many Floridians who still purchase illegally because they already can’t afford the higher cost than on the street. We need to stop being so backwards and just legalize it already. And again NOT what was voted on. We have passed this!
jimbo
February 23, 2020 at 10:51 pm
Why do the people of Florida keep voting against their own best interests by voting for all these backward thinking Republican yahoos year after year? People need to wake up and realize that Republicans are not your friend.
What a bunch of hypocrites these Republicans are! They say that they want government off the backs of the American people yet they are the ones who want to thwart the will of the voters of Florida and control people’s bodies and lives. Outrageous!
Burena Morris
February 25, 2020 at 9:59 am
All I have to say is as a 30+ year citizen, I am tried of writing and fighting for basic rights in the State of FL. Go ahead and place a cap; when that is done, the state will be selling patients high quality CBD products at the same cost they are charging for 28% THC Plants.
I done – just counting the days, before can move to a “fair” State that protects patients and understands the benefits of medical marijuana. FL wants its citizens on PILLS, PILLS, PILLS – don’t be deceived – Good luck Florida you really can’t count and lawmakers don’t have a clue about cannabis and that embarrassing.
Daniel Zambeck
February 27, 2020 at 7:29 am
Please listen to my healing story at Cannabishealthradio.com episode 212.
5 years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4b Hodgkins lymphoma with Mets to spleen and bone marrow, my current Oncologist called my original Pet scan, a virtual death sentence.
I did my own research and chose RSO Rick Simpson oil which CURED my stage 4 cancer in 4 months, I still take a maintenance dose of RSO every day. RSO is high THC and low CBD Indica cannabis extract that can be as high as 90% THC. Too suggest a 10% cap on THC is insane. High THC saved my life and contributes to my overall health today. I would love to sit down with Florida lawmakers and share my story and 5 years of research I have on this subject.
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