Christine Jordan Sexton
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.
7 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