New law gives at least 3 Black farmers a shot at marijuana licenses

Marijuana Effects On The Brain
Florida law required Pigford-class farmers to be awarded licenses when the state first established its medical marijuana program.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has agreed to change the law to abate legal wrangling over medical marijuana licenses for Black farmers. It’s the second time in as many years the Governor approved changes to the state’s medical marijuana licensure laws for Black farmers.

At least three Black farmers tied to what is known as the “Pigford” litigation will benefit from the changes. That’s according to Sen. Tracie Davis, a Jacksonville Democrat who helped champion the 2024 changes included in SB 1582, an omnibus bill related to the Department of Health (DOH).

The new law gives Black farmers who applied for licenses under a 2023 law another 90 days to cure any errors or omissions on medical marijuana applications they submitted to the state.

The new measure also makes clear that if a Black farmer applicant died after March 25, 2022, their death may not be used as a reason to deny the application or any resulting legal challenges.

Davis said that language should benefit Henry Crusaw and Leola Robinson, two elderly Black farmers who could not previously meet the state’s standards.

When Florida first launched its medical marijuana licensing program, none of the first dispensaries were minority-owned, despite a statutory requirement that a license be awarded to Black farmers known as Pigford-class farmers, a name stemming from a federal lawsuit.

The state ultimately awarded a medical marijuana license to Black farmer Terry Gwinn. But another 11 applicants for that permit who were denied sued the state for discrimination.

Lawmakers tried to sidestep the legal wrangling in 2023 by passing legislation that was aimed at resolving the outstanding licensure issues for the 11 other applicants by requiring DOH to issue licenses to applicants who corrected the deficiencies in their applications. The bill also gave any applicant who had deficiencies 90 days to cure that deficiency.

DOH only issued three new licenses to the applicants following the 2023 law.

Christine Jordan Sexton

Tallahassee-based health care reporter who focuses on health care policy and the politics behind it. Medicaid, health insurance, workers’ compensation, and business and professional regulation are just a few of the things that keep me busy.


13 comments

  • Elvis Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American

    June 18, 2024 at 7:18 pm

    Good evening America,
    Lets all thank The Sage Ron DeSantis and his Lovely wife Casey for righting this worng, perpeetuated bi the Biden Administration, which descriminated against Floridas Sage Black Farmers.
    This and this alone will ramp up the Black vote for Trumo to 75 to 78%.
    Thank you Ron,
    Elvis Pitts and 78% of Floridas Black Voters, Anericans
    ,

    • Elvis Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American

      June 18, 2024 at 7:42 pm

      America, I appoligise that my posting of Sage Wisdom has lacked the usual Mighty Impact lately.
      As you know Rick Whittaker works as my follow-up contrarian Fake Leftist followup poster.
      Well he’s gone missing again.
      Ricks family and I have been checking all the strip clubs and local motels around Nashville as he often checks himself in for 2 to 3 weeks of Living On The Wild Side.
      This happens several times each year. And we eventually always locate him, bring him home, dry him out, and shoot him up with mega doses of Penicellin to kill off the Dreaded Gongo Ka Ka.
      I expect things will get back to nornal in a week or 3.
      If any of my fans spot Rick, dont approach him, just shoot me a post here and I will come get him.
      Thank you all my Sage Patriots and Besty Leftys in and around the Nashville TN area.
      Elvis Pitts “LETS FIND RICK” American

      • Tray CLavis

        June 18, 2024 at 7:55 pm

        Elvis, I think Buck and I located Rick,
        He was at a seedy strip club down on Nashville’s seedy SouthSide Big Pimping & Spending The Cheese.
        We dont want to get in trouble with our wives so I will text the location to you.
        Hes wearing his gold and dyed his hair blond and wearing some Elvis Presley sunglasses he purchased over at Grace Land … Go get him Elvis,
        Tray

        • Elvis Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American

          June 18, 2024 at 8:15 pm

          Thanks Clay, we are going out to bring him home. Its always great drama and usually involves a Bar Room Blitz. I usually shoot one of those sedation darts into his neck to calm him down, roll him up in a roll of carpet and take him home that way…. we’re almost there now….Thanks again,
          Elvis Pitts [FKA EARL] PITTS American

  • Cindy

    June 18, 2024 at 7:42 pm

    Is that still a citizenship issue…

    • Elvis Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American

      June 18, 2024 at 8:15 pm

      Love Ya Patriot Cindy,
      EPA

  • Millie Whittaker

    June 18, 2024 at 8:47 pm

    Thanks Elvis,
    Thru the years you have been Ricks only true friend.
    Millie

  • Elvis Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American

    June 20, 2024 at 6:52 am

    Bad news America,
    Rick was somehow warned that we were coming to save him and dry him out. He escaped and took off to parts unknown.
    If anyone spots my employee, Rick Whittaker, please let me know so we can capture him and save him from the demons inside his brain.
    Thank you Sage Fans of ME, Elvis Pitts American
    *LETS SAVE RICK TOGETHER*

  • Walt Browning

    June 20, 2024 at 8:06 am

    Why do I get the feeling that John Morgan will somehow turn out to be a Sage black farmer?

    • Elvis Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American

      June 20, 2024 at 12:33 pm

      Thanks Walt,
      But Morgan & Morgan’s Sage angle here is more Zonked on Weed Citizens driving = More Deadly Accidents on the Highways = more Ambulance Chase Cases = more Litigation by Morgan & Morgan = more $$$$$ for Morgan & Morgan.
      Walt I did not use the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) explaination for you as you, Walt, are veey Sage & Wise.
      Its for all of my Besty Leftys, who I love, but all of them (except Ocean Joe) suffer from debilating Dook For Brains Leftism and need it explained in the KISS Process for them to understand.
      Thanks Walt, my Sage and Wise Friend,
      Elvis Pitts American

  • Elvis Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American

    June 21, 2024 at 8:07 pm

    Good evening Rick Whittaker,
    I really need you to report for work ASAP.
    I’ve got a bevy of Delicious Florida Pole Dancers and 6 cases of The Finest Tennessee Whiskey here for you at the office.
    Please stop mingleing with those inferior Tennessee Pole Dancers Rick. We really need you here over seeing my Wacky Leftist Followup Commentary to make our team work.
    Come in from the cold Rick my Florida Pole Dancers will make you into The Young Ricky Whitaker with The Bull Of The Woods Johnson once again …. come home Son …. we all miss you,
    Elvis

    • Elvis Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American

      June 21, 2024 at 8:19 pm

      Again America,
      If anyone sees Rick Whitaker please dont try to capture him yourself. Just let me know where he is and you will be rewarded handsomally.
      Please dont try any foolishness like capturing Rick yourself as he is a highly trained killing machine from The Jungles Of Viet Nam and he will Terminate you …. call me,
      Elvis Pitts American

      • Elvis Pitts "The Big Voice On The Right" American

        June 21, 2024 at 8:23 pm

        FYI Rick actually thinks hes The Nature Boy Rick Flair. He looks like Rick Flair and often says; WOO HOO so let me know … OK?
        EPA

Comments are closed.


#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, William March, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Jesse Scheckner, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704