Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 4, 2018

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rolled out plans to reverse the Cole Memo, an Obama-era policy of detente in the federal war against cannabis, on Thursday. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum was the first — and as of Thursday morning, the only — candidate in Florida’s 2018 field to decry Sessions’ move. “Attorney General Jeff Sessions is […]

Jim RosicaNovember 21, 2017

State regulators have told a South Florida medical marijuana provider to quit selling “unapproved” vaping devices. The Department of Health‘s Office of Medical Marijuana Use sent a “cease and desist” letter Monday to Curaleaf of Miami. It also tells the company to stop “running unapproved advertisements encouraging (its) product to be used in a manner inconsistent” with […]

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 […]

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 […]

Tag: cannabis

Andrew Gillum slams Jeff Sessions’ reversal of federal cannabis policy as racist and ‘deluded’

State to medical marijuana company: Stop selling ‘vaping’ devices

Sterling Crockett: For one company, medical cannabis is personal

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