Jim Rosica, Author at Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaSeptember 21, 2018

Saying a lower-court judge “misconstrued the plain language of Florida’s Medical Marijuana Amendment,” the state is asking an appellate court to reverse her ruling allowing Tampa strip club mogul Joe Redner to grow and make juice of his own medical marijuana. Outside counsel for the Department of Health filed an initial brief Thursday in its appeal at […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 18, 2018

Christy Daly Brodeur, formerly Secretary of Florida’s Department of Juvenile Justice under Gov. Rick Scott, has joined the Ballard Partners influence firm in Tallahassee. The move was first reported in Tuesday’s SUNBURN. “Christy’s successful track record of partnering with key stakeholder groups to achieve favorable outcomes for all parties is a tremendous asset for our firm, our […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 17, 2018

The number of first-time Florida bar exam takers who pass has slipped 4 percent from last year, to 67.2 percent from 71.3 percent, according to the state’s Board of Bar Examiners. Results for the July 24-25 examination were released Monday. Overall, 3,249 people sat for the bar exam, of which 2,228 were taking it for the first […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 14, 2018

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A Tallahassee administrative law judge has booted a Florida horsemen’s group challenge of a South Florida track’s gambling permit. The reason: “Jurisdiction over the issuance of the summer jai alai permit being” contested is in appellate court, not the Division of Administrative Hearings, Judge E. Gary Early wrote. “Thus, there is nothing for (the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 14, 2018

The state constitution “creates a procedural right to seek treatment with smokable marijuana,” according to a new filing in an appeal by patients seeking to light up medicinal cannabis. Attorney Jon Mills filed a 48-page answer brief late Thursday, in response to the state’s 57-page brief last month arguing that the smoking of medical marijuana […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 14, 2018

The Florida Bar now is seeking to disbar a former judge who accepted baseball tickets from a law firm representing a woman whose personal injury case he was presiding over. Circuit Judge John F. Lakin, elected in 2012, quit the bench in March 2016. He served on the 12th Judicial Circuit, which serves DeSoto, Manatee […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 13, 2018

Jokes by a medical school professor about porn, sex toys and the Zika virus has led to a lawsuit against Florida State University, according to a complaint filed in Leon County this week. Christina R. Goswick-Childers, formerly an academic program specialist at the school’s College of Medicine in Tallahassee, filed sexual harassment and retaliation claims after […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 13, 2018

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A Canadian mining concern this week said it had finalized a deal to merge with Trulieve, a Florida medical marijuana provider. Toronto-based Schyan Exploration Inc. will combine with Trulieve Inc. to become Trulieve Cannabis Corp. It will trade stock publicly in Canada. The agreement was announced Tuesday. The closing date for the transaction is expected […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 13, 2018

Republican candidate Ashley Moody is leading her Democratic counterpart Sean Shaw in the 2018 race for Attorney General, according to the latest survey from St. Pete Polls. When asked, “If the election for Attorney General were held today, who would you vote for: Republican Ashley Moody or Democrat Sean Shaw,” 46 percent said Moody and 44 percent […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 12, 2018

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Lobbyist Teye Reeves has joined the Tallahassee firm of Smith, Bryan & Myers (SBM). “Teye has cemented herself as an ardent influencer in the Capitol,” said Matt Bryan, president of SBM, in a statement. “She has the ability to see an issue from all angles and effectively navigate it through the legislative and executive process. “We’re happy to […]

Jim Rosica
Aerial photo courtesy Jesse Biter.

State asks court to reverse medical marijuana ‘home grow’ ruling

Personnel note: Christy Daly Brodeur joins Ballard Partners

Down it goes: Florida bar exam pass rate plummets again

Judge dismisses horse group’s challenge of Calder gambling permit

Marijuana smoking ban case smolders in appellate court

Rays tickets could lead to disbarment of former Bradenton judge

Jokes about porn, sex toys spur lawsuit on FSU medical school

More marijuana dealmaking: Trulieve merging with Canadian company

Latest poll: Ashley Moody leads Sean Shaw 46-44 for Attorney General

Personnel note: Teye Reeves joins Smith, Bryan & Myers