Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorSeptember 20, 2017

Last November, Florida voters revolutionized the way patients with debilitating diseases can pursue their road to recovery. Following passage of Amendment 2, the Florida Constitution now allows licensed physicians to administer cannabis-derived medicines to individuals who suffer from a number of significant medical conditions. In just a few short weeks, the Florida Department of Health […]

Scott PowersMay 18, 2017

Saying that the current limbo of law is bad for doctors and patients, Democratic state Reps. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Amy Mercado pleaded with Gov. Rick Scott and Florida Legislature leaders to call a special session to deal with medical marijuana. “We are here because 71 percent of Florida voters approved the constitutional right to […]

Scott PowersMay 15, 2017

Winter Garden-based Knox Medical, one of Florida’s seven licensed distributors of marijuana medicines, announced it is opening its first dispensary, in Gainesville with plans to go statewide soon. In keeping with its strategy of locating dispensaries near hospitals and medical centers, Knox will open its first shop at 3400 SW 34th St., in Gainesville, not far from Shands […]

Guest AuthorMay 9, 2017

For the last five years, my big brother, Ben Pollara, has fought to bring medical marijuana treatment to suffering citizens in the state of Florida. He acted as campaign manager for United for Care, which was the chief facilitator of Amendment 2’s passage November, and has since worked tirelessly to craft and pass fair legislation […]

Scott PowersMay 9, 2017

Medical marijuana champion John Morgan turned to Twitter Tuesday afternoon to push for a special session to implement the medical marijuana law and he called for the free market – not the Florida Legislature – to decide how many dispensaries there would be. Morgan, who earlier this week had called for a special session after […]

Peter SchorschApril 6, 2017

I’ve not been shy about expressing my concerns about the implementation of Amendment 2, many of which stem from the fact that I’m the father of a young daughter. From that perspective, it’s imperative to me that Florida exercises necessary prudence and caution while putting in place the mandate from voters on medical marijuana. I’m […]

Peter SchorschApril 5, 2017

The Senate, with the revised version of SB 406, appears to be on what is a fairly balanced means of implementing Amendment 2. Is that my opinion? Maybe. But, as of yesterday, even the intrepid Ben Pollara sent an email saying (and I quote), “The Senate bill puts Patients First…” while most parties in attendance […]

Scott PowersMarch 6, 2017

A new bill introduced Monday to enact Florida’s medical marijuana program is being sharply criticized by promoters of Amendment 2 for keeping the budding business restricted to the state’s current seven approved producers. Senate Bill 1758, introduced by state Sen. Denise Grimsley, the Republican from Lake Wales, lays out how Florida should manage and regulate […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 28, 2017

A push to decriminalize marijuana could prove a slippery slope, by giving kids the false impression on the safety of a drug increasingly legal nationwide. Some believe a similar problem could happen in Florida, especially after voters passed Amendment 2, which began the process of legalizing medical marijuana throughout the Sunshine State. A new report […]

Joe ReedyFebruary 13, 2017

Three months after Florida voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment on medical marijuana, state health officials and prospective pot-seeking patients are at odds over proposed rules that would spell out who could get marijuana. State officials have recommended restrictions on what type of patients can qualify for medical marijuana, and where they can obtain it. […]

Tag: Amendment 2

Sterling Crockett: For one company, medical cannabis is personal

Carlos Guillermo Smith, Amy Mercado say special session needed to end cannabis legal limbo

Knox Medical opening marijuana shop in Gainesville, planning statewide

Samantha Pollara: In defense of my big brother Ben Pollara

John Morgan posts Twitter video calling for marijuana special session

New wrinkles in Florida’s medical marijuana implementation raise doubts, concerns

Is the Senate on the right path on medical marijuana?

Senate medical marijuana bill keeps industry restricted to seven distributors

With push to legalize marijuana, teens get false impression on pot safety

Florida officials, voters clash over medical marijuana rules