Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jim RosicaOctober 24, 2016

The team behind this year’s medical marijuana amendment has released an 11-page “intent” memo for voters to “understand the purposes” of the initiative. “Voters should vote for an amendment fully understanding the intent of the drafters,” said the document, obtained by FloridaPolitics.com on Monday. “Fostering voter understanding is the central purpose of this memo, and […]

Guest AuthorAugust 12, 2016

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In the age where cannabis is finally being re-recognized as treatment for a vast plethora of human ailments and regaining the stature it had for centuries before it was degraded by lies, bigotry and greed, it’s time that the media grow up, and start by using the appropriate nomenclature for the plant that has been […]

Larry GriffinJuly 27, 2016

The City of Orlando has decided that for right now, three medical marijuana dispensaries is enough for the Orlando area. After Gov. Rick Scott passed the Charlotte’s Web law in 2014, which allowed medical marijuana for medical patients when no other treatment would suffice, three dispensaries ended up getting licensed to the area: one on […]

Keith MorelliJune 14, 2016

An update offered by the Florida Department of Health on the approaching availability of medical marijuana was rife with technical and legal language, but really broke no new ground other than to further emphasize the strictness of rules and regulations regarding the use of pot by patients with various medical problems. The main thrust delivered […]

Keith MorelliJune 10, 2016

Fifty-four-year-old Bridget Kirouac was followed home by Martin County sheriff’s deputies just over two years ago after a visit to Mr. Nice Guy Hydroponics. Deputies raided her home and found about 20 marijuana plants, some cannabis tincture and some harvested pot. She said she needs the marijuana to help get her through days of pain […]

Tag: cannabis
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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

Backers release ‘intent’ statement for medical pot amendment

Gary Stein: Time for Northwest Florida Daily News to respect medical marijuana

City of Orlando puts moratorium on any more marijuana dispensaries until after November vote

Florida Health Department update on medical pot — long on jargon, short on new info

Martin County woman faces trial for medical pot prescribed by Maine doctor