House committee shows bipartisan support for free medical marijuana cards for military vets

Bills to cap pot potency were stamped out. Image via AP.

The Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee is advancing a bill that proposes some alterations to Florida’s medical marijuana program.

Pensacola Republican Rep. Alex Andrade introduced the legislation (HB 555). He said the bill, now a committee substitute, would make certifications happen every two years rather than annually, and would exempt military veterans from paying the $75 fee.

That’s one way to thank them for their service.

Democrats and Republicans hailed the legislation.

“I love this bill,” said Democratic Rep. Lavon Bracy Davis. “Quote me on this, Florida Politics.”

“It’s a much-needed thing,” agreed Republican Rep. Michelle Salzman.

“The way the system is set up currently, you have to go to the doctor every so many days and you have to get renewed every so many days, and those do not coincide. So you could go to the doctor and get all of your stuff renewed and then not know that you were supposed to renew your medical marijuana license two months prior. You go straight from the doctor to the dispensary and you can’t get a prescription and now you have to wait. They’ve done a good job of streamlining that process, but you still have to wait, and it’s another $75 fee, which you already had to pay close to $200 to see the doctor.”

This is a pared-down product from Andrade’s original bill, which envisioned telehealth-first consultations, home grow of two plants per household with a patient aged 21 or older, expanded cultivation, and reciprocity allowing patients in other states to get product at Florida dispensaries.

Even if this bill gets to the House floor, the final outcome is uncertain. Similar bills have yet to get a committee hearing in the Senate.