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Staff ReportsAugust 6, 2018

With a new controlled substances bill having gone into effect last month, the Department of Health Monday announced a new “Take Control” campaign, including a website. The measure (HB 21) “was passed to address the opioid crisis by limiting the risk of overprescribing for acute pain, and it will not impact patients who have established […]

Danny McAuliffeJuly 31, 2018

A pro-choice coalition that opposed a law expanding the state’s hand in crisis pregnancy centers that do not offer abortion services isn’t giving up the fight despite the law already coming into effect. Representatives from Progress Florida, the Florida National Organization for Women and the Florida Interfaith Coalition for Reproductive Health were in Tallahassee on […]

Jim RosicaJuly 30, 2018

Updated 1:30 p.m. — Toronto-based Scythian Biosciences Corp. announced on Monday it was buying Cannabis Cures Investments (see below) and renaming itself Sol Global Investments Corp., with that deal expected to close Oct. 15, pending regulatory approval. A press release is here. The original post from earlier Monday is below. __ As the state gets ready to license more providers, another […]

Jim RosicaJuly 27, 2018

Christian Bax, director of Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), has stepped down after a controversial three-year tenure that frustrated patients, angered lawmakers, and witnessed an explosion in litigation. His resignation is effective Aug. 10. Deputy director Courtney Coppola will serve as interim director, Department of Health spokesman Devin Galleta said Friday. Bax’s resignation letter, released […]

Jim RosicaJuly 19, 2018

The Legislature opened the state’s wallet again Thursday, granting a request from the state’s medical marijuana regulators for another $13 million in operating costs. The approval from the Joint Legislative Budget Commission didn’t come without some grousing, however. The Department of Health, under Gov. Rick Scott, regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). House Democratic […]

Jim RosicaJuly 13, 2018

With the number of “qualified, active patients” surpassing 100,000, the Department of Health on Friday said it would finally start the process of issuing additional medical marijuana provider licenses. The four new “medical marijuana treatment center” (MMTC) licenses, however, will be issued “through a new rule,” the department added. That could mean a delay as the agency […]

Jim RosicaJuly 10, 2018

State regulators have given up for now on a contentious rule requiring a hefty fee from medical marijuana suppliers. The Department of Health, which regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use, had first proposed in April a “supplemental licensing fee” of $174,844 from each provider. But the office on Monday, without explanation, announced it was […]

Jim RosicaJune 25, 2018

They haven’t even been approved, but proposed rules on medical marijuana have already drawn legal challenges. Liberty Health Sciences, a licensed medicinal cannabis provider, is challenging two rules, both debuted only two weeks ago. One is on a “supplemental licensing fee” and another covers a “variance procedure” for medical marijuana treatment centers, or MMTCs, as […]

Jim RosicaJune 22, 2018

Papa John’s, the takeout and pizza delivery restaurant chain, has told state health regulators ‘never mind’ on its request to store its pizza sauce at higher temperatures. A “closing order” from the Department of Health shows the company withdrew its petition for a variance — first reported by POLITICO Florida — from the state’s “safe temperature” refrigeration […]

Jim RosicaJune 15, 2018

Florida now has topped 100,000 “active” and “qualified” patients in its medical marijuana use registry, the Department of Health announced in an email Friday. But again, according to a department spokesman, that doesn’t mean the department will issue another four licenses to grow and sell medical marijuana, as provided under state law. The state had exceeded 100,000 overall almost […]

Tag: Department of Health

Health Dept. launches controlled substances awareness campaign

Activists call on state to ‘aggressively regulate’ anti-abortion centers

More money flowing into Florida’s medical marijuana market

Christian Bax quits as state’s top medical marijuana regulator

Lawmakers grudgingly OK more money for marijuana regulators

State may soon get more medical marijuana providers

Medical marijuana regulators withdraw licensing fee rule

Proposed medical marijuana rules already bringing challenges

Papa John’s withdraws request for warmer pizza sauce

State tops 100,000 marijuana patients — but no more providers