Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJuly 12, 2017

Wednesday morning saw Jacksonville open its first medical marijuana dispensary, as Trulieve’s storefront on Beach Boulevard opened for business. For those following the medical marijuana debate in the city as recently as two years ago, Trulieve’s facility represents real progress, especially in contrast to other cities across the state still wrestling with zoning and other […]

Jim RosicaJuly 6, 2017

Medical marijuana advocate John Morgan says cannabis smoking doesn’t “impair lung function” and even “increase(s) lung capacity,” as part of his lawsuit to be filed against the state Thursday. Florida Politics on Wednesday night acquired a copy of the 15-page complaint that Morgan says he will file in Leon Circuit Civil court in Tallahassee—against which a […]

Scott PowersMay 30, 2017

Winter Garden-based Knox Medical is set to open Orlando’s first medical marijuana dispensary Friday in a location near Florida Hospital’s downtown campus. Knox is one of nine companies statewide licensed to produce and sell medicines derived from cannabis. Knox has been in operation for several months, relying primarily on delivery service, and earlier this month […]

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 […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 19, 2017

A bill filed Thursday in the Florida Senate, if passed, would expand the medical marijuana system in the Sunshine State, complying with 2016’s Amendment 2. However, some critics — inside the Senate and outside as well — have raised concerns, suggesting the bill will not have the smoothest glide path. Senate Bill 406, filed by […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 13, 2017

A bill filed Thursday in the Florida House proposes to impose DUI penalties for drivers or boaters with a certain amount of THC in their blood samples. The timing of the measure from West Palm Beach Democrat David Silvers is interesting, coming as the state expands its medical marijuana program. House Bill 237 — the “Driving Under […]

Jim RosicaDecember 13, 2016

The right way to put the new constitutional amendment on medical marijuana into effect is to “treat (it) like medicine,” supporters said Tuesday. The Senate Health Policy committee held its first workshop for the 2017 Legislative Session on medical cannabis implementation. “The states that have done it poorly, with a lack of regulation, allowed folks to market […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2016

With establishment lobbyists now representing it, the medical marijuana cause appears to have become—grab your pearls—respectable. Florida for Care, the nonprofit organization that is advocating for “well-regulated” medicinal pot in the state, has hired Brecht Heuchan and The Mayernick Group to advocate for its interests. Heuchan, who says he voted against the medical marijuana constitutional amendment this November, has […]

Jim RosicaNovember 29, 2016

Florida’s bong ban, as toothless as critics say it may be, now is preempted by the recently approved constitutional amendment on medical marijuana. That’s according to Ben Pollara, campaign manager of United for Care. The group has fought for the ballot initiative, which first failed in 2014 before passing this year with 71 percent of […]

Tag: cannabis
Lake Mary’s team celebrates in the eighth inning of the Little League World Series Championship game against Taiwan. Florida won in eight innings 2-1. Image via AP.

Jacksonville’s first medical marijuana dispensary represents policy progress

John Morgan’s suit says smoking pot actually good for the lungs

Knox to open Orlando’s first medical marijuana dispensary Friday

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

Knox Medical opening marijuana shop in Gainesville, planning statewide

Amendment 2 implementation bill filed in Florida Senate

THC DUI blood test bill filed in Florida House

Treat medical marijuana “like medicine,” advocates say

Implementation of medical marijuana amendment brings together unlikely allies

Bong ban doesn’t apply to medical pot, advocate says