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

Jim RosicaJuly 30, 2018

Updated 1:30 p.m. — Toronto-based Scythian Biosciences Corp. announced on Monday it was buying Cannabis Cures Investments (see below) and renaming itself Sol Global Investments Corp., with that deal expected to close Oct. 15, pending regulatory approval. A press release is here. The original post from earlier Monday is below. __ As the state gets ready to license more providers, another […]

Jim RosicaJuly 30, 2018

Democratic candidate for Attorney General Ryan Torrens is striking back after primary opponent Sean Shaw sued last week to have him kicked off the ballot. In a statement Monday, Torrens said the money that Shaw called an “illegal campaign contribution” was essentially a loan to his campaign, “as he will now see (and could have learned if he’d only had the […]

Jim RosicaJuly 27, 2018

Christian Bax, director of Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), has stepped down after a controversial three-year tenure that frustrated patients, angered lawmakers, and witnessed an explosion in litigation. His resignation is effective Aug. 10. Deputy director Courtney Coppola will serve as interim director, Department of Health spokesman Devin Galleta said Friday. Bax’s resignation letter, released […]

Jim RosicaJuly 27, 2018

The federal government is now ‘missing in action’ in a lawsuit over records on March’s pedestrian bridge collapse at Florida International University that killed six people. U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Canova of the Northern District of Florida had asked a Tallahassee judge to delay any rulings while his office decides whether to get involved in […]

Jim RosicaJuly 25, 2018

Democratic candidate for Attorney General Sean Shaw is suing to knock primary opponent Ryan Torrens off the ballot, saying Torrens “failed to properly qualify” because of an “illegal campaign contribution.” Torrens called the lawsuit a “sham.” Shaw’s lawsuit was filed just before 5 p.m. Tuesday in Leon County Circuit Civil court against Torrens, the state’s Division […]

Jim RosicaJuly 24, 2018

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Give Costco’s lawyers some credit: They may have a found a way to finally be able to sell tequila and turkey burgers in the same store. The answer may involve its food courts — turkey provolone sandwich, anyone? — and repealing the state’s obscure, 24-year-old “Restaurant Rule.” And already, Costco’s critics are calling it an […]

Jim RosicaJuly 23, 2018

Carlos Cruz and Jon Yapo have joined Converge Government Affairs, the new firm founded by veteran influencer Jonathan Kilman, the firm said in a statement. “We could not be happier about Carlos Cruz joining the firm, and the synergy we gain by adding Carlos is powerful,” said Kilman, the firm’s chairman. “With his Jacksonville presence, […]

Jim RosicaJuly 23, 2018

Where the big banks say no, Justin Costello is saying ‘yes.’ Foreseeing “a multibillion-dollar industry here,” the head of Seattle-based GRN Funds says his firm has come to Florida to offer banking services to the state’s medical marijuana providers. It already handles about $500 million in deposits for clients in the cannabis industry on the […]

Jim RosicaJuly 19, 2018

The Legislature opened the state’s wallet again Thursday, granting a request from the state’s medical marijuana regulators for another $13 million in operating costs. The approval from the Joint Legislative Budget Commission didn’t come without some grousing, however. The Department of Health, under Gov. Rick Scott, regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). House Democratic […]

Jim RosicaJuly 18, 2018

A second political committee has registered to oppose a proposed state constitutional amendment requiring voter approval of new gambling. Citizens for the Truth About Amendment 3 registered on Wednesday, Division of Elections records show. It’s chaired by Dan Adkins, longtime head of Hallandale Beach’s former Mardi Gras Casino and Race Track. The group’s formation paperwork and initial campaign finance information […]

Jim Rosica

More money flowing into Florida’s medical marijuana market

Contribution was really loan, Ryan Torrens explains – as he acknowledges he made mistake

Christian Bax quits as state’s top medical marijuana regulator

Feds now MIA in FIU bridge records case

Attorney General race goes ‘boom’ as Sean Shaw sues to get Ryan Torrens off ballot

It’s back: Costco’s weapon to win ‘whiskey and Wheaties’ war

Personnel note: Carlos Cruz and Jon Yapo join Converge

Saying ‘yes’ to marijuana money, new bank comes to Florida

Lawmakers grudgingly OK more money for marijuana regulators

Second group forms to fight gambling amendment