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Associated PressJuly 28, 2016

Florida’s Department of Health has granted its second dispensing authorization for medical marijuana. On Wednesday the agency notified Surterra Therapeutics that it has been approved for processing and dispensing low-THC cannabis. Surterra is the dispensing partner for the Homestead-based Alpha Foliage, which was granted the license for the Southwest Florida region. Spokeswoman Monica Russell says […]

Associated PressJuly 26, 2016

The first medical marijuana dispensary in Florida is slated to open. Trulieve, the approved organization in northwest Florida, is set to open a dispensary in Tallahassee on Tuesday, one week after being given dispensing authorization by Florida’s health department. The state’s Office of Compassionate Use, which was formed to oversee state regulation of medical marijuana, […]

Keith MorelliJune 28, 2016

The first case of microcephaly, a birth defect in which babies are born with abnormally small heads and incomplete brain development, has surfaced in Florida. The defect is caused by the Zika virus, which was contracted by the mother while in her native Haiti, authorities said. Officials with the Florida Department of Health confirmed the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 10, 2016

Florida lawmakers continue to push for more federal assistance to fight the spread of Zika. Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday requested the Centers for Disease Control send an additional 1,300 Zika antibody tests to Florida. The additional tests would allow more Floridians, including pregnant women and new mothers, to see if they have had Zika. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 9, 2016

A mosquito trap designed by University of Florida researchers could limit the spread of the Zika virus, but first it needs approval from the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Phil Koehler, a professor in the university’s entomology and nematology department, said researchers have requested an emergency registration permit for the product. If granted, the university would […]

Keith MorelliJune 7, 2016

In December 2014, McCrory’s Sunny Hill Nursery in Eustis, along with Grow Healthy Farms Florida spent nearly $2 million for a 33-acre tract of property on which sat an old Sealy Mattress factory. The plan was to convert the making of pillow tops to pot buds in a massive medical marijuana grow house. But along […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 24, 2016

A Southwest Florida nursery is asking for an administrative hearing to determine whether it should be awarded a license to grow and distribute medical marijuana. Sun Bulb Company filed a petition for a formal administrative hearing on Friday. The company filed the petition in response to a newly passed law, which attorneys said allows “for […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 18, 2016

She’s official. Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday announced he appointed Dr. Celeste Philip as the state’s Surgeon General and head of the Florida Department of Health. The longtime Department of Health official has served as the Acting Surgeon General since March. “Since becoming Acting Surgeon General this spring, Dr. Philip has met with community health […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 10, 2016

Summertime is nearly here, and with that comes the return of the mosquito. As concerns over the mosquito-borne Zika virus continue to grow, state officials are ramping up their efforts to protect Floridians and slow the spread of the virus. That means increase coordination between state and local agencies and even calls for Washington, D.C., […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 6, 2016

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Gov. Rick Scott reiterated on Friday the need for state and federal officials to work together to prepare for the spread of the Zika virus. “We’re coming on summer. We’re going to see heat. We’re going to see rain. We’re going to see mosquitoes. And we’re going to see people coming back from Brazil,” said […]

Tag: Department of Health
Paula Stark is hosting Buenaventura Lakes' 'first-ever' event to honor veterans.

Surterra Therapeutics gets OK to start dispensing medical marijuana

First medical pot dispensary to open in Tallahassee

Florida records birth of first baby with Zika-related birth defects

Florida lawmakers urge action to stop the spread of Zika

UF seeks approval for device that could help stop spread of Zika

Administrative judge says McCrory’s Sunny Hill Nursery not entitled to medical pot license

Sun Bulb Company challenging DOH response to new medical pot law

Rick Scott appoints Celeste Philip as Florida’s surgeon general

Rick Scott pushing collaboration to stop the spread of Zika

Rick Scott: ‘My goal is to help the federal government get prepared’ for Zika