Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 9, 2018

Gary Stein, a medical marijuana historian and advocate, has opened his own Florida fundraising panel — the first of its kind — to support pro-marijuana candidates and influence legislation. Clarity PAC was officially registered Wednesday as a non-profit corporation and political committee, state records show. Its mission: “To advocate for full legal access to medicinal […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 6, 2018

Ordinance 2018-75, which would revise existing medical cannabis regulations, moved out of its first of two Jacksonville City Council committees Monday. The code was first formulated in response to “Charlotte’s Web” low-THC cannabis being the single legal strain, and after an extended period of debate, processing and dispensing were allowed in commercial districts, with cultivation permitted […]

Jim RosicaJune 12, 2018

In an act of ‘humble plagiarism,’ Joe Redner‘s attorney is following the lead of John Morgan in asking the state Supreme Court to take over litigation on medical marijuana. In a filing posted Monday, attorney Luke Lirot “suggests” that the state’s highest court take over deciding whether Redner — the Tampa strip club mogul — can grow and juice […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 8, 2018

On Friday, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine — a Democratic candidate for Governor — rolled out his proposal to legalize the sale of adult-use cannabis. “If elected Governor,” Levine tweeted, “I will carefully move to legalize the sale of limited quantities recreational marijuana for adults.” “Careful means controlled,” Levine said, with “highly regulated” sales and distribution […]

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

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 16, 2018

It’s now up to a Tallahassee judge whether the Legislature overstepped when it outlawed the smoking of medical marijuana. Attorneys for the state and patients who want to smoke the drug squared off in a Leon County courtroom Wednesday before Circuit Judge Karen Gievers. She didn’t immediately rule after the close of evidence, but could issue a decision […]

Scott PowersApril 26, 2018

Touting it as the most bipartisan and therefore best-prospect bill in a long time for the issue, Florida’s U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz unveiled a proposal to legalize and promote federal research into medical marijuana Thursday. Gaetz, the Republican from Fort Walton Beach, was joined by U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, the Republican from Kendall, U.S. Rep. […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 19, 2018

Committees run Monday and Tuesday for the Jacksonville City Council; high-profile measures ranging from cannabis regulation changes to a JEA sale straw ballot have already been deferred in Monday committees. JEA Referendum: Ordinance 2018-141 would set a public straw vote referendum on the November 2018 ballot regarding selling more than 10 percent of JEA. The […]

Tag: cannabis

Medical marijuana advocates start their own PAC

Jacksonville City Council panel approves cannabis code change

Joe Redner also wants Supreme Court to decide on medical marijuana

Philip Levine rolls out cannabis legalization proposal

John Morgan calls on Rick Scott to drop medical marijuana appeal

Judge strikes down ban on smoking medical marijuana

Supreme Court takes initial pass on ‘home grow’ case

Smoke ’em? Judge will decide on puffing medical marijuana

Matt Gaetz, Carlos Curbelo, Darren Soto lead marijuana research bill

Jacksonville City Council committee defers JEA sale straw ballot bill