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

Jim RosicaJune 1, 2018

Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Drew Breakspear has resigned, another political casualty of the Rick Scott administration. CFO Jimmy Patronis formally announced the departure, first reported by POLITICO Florida’s Matt Dixon last night, on Friday. “I appreciate Commissioner Breakspear’s years of service to the state,” Patronis said in a statement. “During his time as commissioner, he had […]

Jim RosicaMay 29, 2018

Saying “this madness has to end,” Orlando attorney John Morgan called on Gov. Rick Scott to drop the hastily-filed appeal of a decision allowing medical marijuana to be smoked in Florida. Morgan spoke at a Tuesday news conference that was streamed live on Facebook. In a 22-page order released Friday, Tallahassee Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said […]

Jim RosicaMay 26, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott on Saturday declared a state of emergency in all 67 Florida counties as the state waits for Subtropical Storm Alberto. The declaration makes sure “that our state and local governments are able to coordinate with federal partners to get the resources they need,” Scott said in a statement after signing an executive […]

Jim RosicaMay 26, 2018

Quoting George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, a Florida judge has ruled that the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana is unconstitutional. In a 22-page order released Friday, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said that the ban on smoking is “invalid because it conflicts” with the constitutional amendment on medicinal cannabis approved by statewide voters in 2016. A one-day […]

Jim RosicaMay 25, 2018

The Florida Supreme Court has turned down a request from Tampa strip club mogul Joe Redner to let him immediately pursue growing and juicing his own marijuana. The court on Friday denied his petition to remove a delay of the effect of a lower court’s ruling. The case now is under review at the 1st District Court of Appeal. […]

Jim RosicaMay 24, 2018

Despite lawmakers’ concerns, the Department of Health has final say over how medical marijuana plays out in Florida, the state’s top regulator suggested. The agency regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use. The office’s director, Christian Bax, spoke with reporters Thursday after a rulemaking hearing in Tallahassee. A legislative panel took Bax’s office to task […]

Jim RosicaMay 18, 2018

The state’s Department of Health says a trial court made an “erroneous conclusion” that Tampa strip club mogul Joe Redner “has a constitutional right to homegrown, juiced (medical) marijuana.” But Redner’s attorney says the state simply continues to argue – also erroneously – that the state’s constitutional amendment on medical marijuana doesn’t mean what it says. The department filed a […]

Jim RosicaMay 17, 2018

The National Rifle Association is appealing a federal judge’s ruling against shielding a plaintiff’s name in its litigation against the state’s new school safety and mental health law. The NRA filed a notice of appeal Thursday to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, court dockets show. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker earlier this week turned down the […]

Jim RosicaMay 17, 2018

Photo above: Greyhounds racing on the track in Bonita Springs. Credit: Van Abernathy. As promised, the group that represents Florida’s greyhound owners and breeders is suing to keep a proposed constitutional amendment to rid the state of dog racing off the November ballot. But a top greyhound racing opponent quickly called the suit “dead on […]

Jim RosicaMay 16, 2018

Orlando attorney John Morgan told reporters Wednesday that he supported the decision of his friend, outgoing House Speaker Richard Corcoran, to end his bid for the Governor’s Office before it even formally started. Corcoran, a Land O’ Lakes Republican, last week endorsed Republican candidate for governor Adam Putnam, currently term-limited as Commissioner of Agriculture. Morgan, who aligns with […]

Jim Rosica

Drew Breakspear out as state’s chief financial regulator

John Morgan calls on Rick Scott to drop medical marijuana appeal

Rick Scott declares state of emergency as Alberto approaches

Judge strikes down ban on smoking medical marijuana

Supreme Court takes initial pass on ‘home grow’ case

Medical marijuana regulator: We’ll change our rules—or not

State files to block effect of ‘home grow’ ruling

NRA appeals judge’s decision against pseudonyms in Parkland lawsuit

Greyhound owners sue over proposed dog racing ban

John Morgan on Richard Corcoran: Don’t go to your own ‘ass kicking’