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Peter SchorschNovember 19, 2018

Consider this column an “open letter” of sorts to the Florida Department of Health. First, do no harm. Got that? Though those words are not actually printed in the Hippocratic Oath, but it’s still an important medical axiom. Here’s the deal. The feds recently passed a new law known as “Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes […]

Staff ReportsOctober 15, 2018

With thousands of people still without power after Hurricane Michael, the state’s Department of Health is warning of the danger of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Generators “can cause CO to build up in a home and poison the people and animals inside,” a Monday press release said. “CO is found in fumes produced by burning […]

Staff ReportsAugust 27, 2018

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Jennifer Tschetter has joined the Carlton Fields law firm’s national medical marijuana task force, the firm announced. She departed Tallahassee’s Hopping Green & Sams, where she’d been since 2016. The former general counsel, chief of staff and chief operating officer of the Florida Department of Health now co-chairs Carlton Fields’ 18-lawyer task force. There, she will “represent […]

Jim RosicaAugust 21, 2018

A special panel of lawmakers continues to demand answers from medical marijuana regulators, according to a new letter obtained Tuesday through a public record request. Among the latest queries from the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC): The identities of “subject matter experts” that the Department of Health plans to use to evaluate license applications, and whether a rule governing […]

Staff ReportsAugust 16, 2018

Health officials are urging parents to make sure their children are vaccinated against measles after three cases of the disease were reported in a Florida county, among more than 100 cases throughout the U.S. this year. Federal officials declared the contagious virus had been eliminated in the U.S. in 2000; however, infections periodically occur nationwide, […]

Jim RosicaAugust 15, 2018

Devin Galetta now is deputy communications director to Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, reporting to Anna Alexopoulos Farrar. “I’m excited that Devin is part of the team,” she said. “He is a thoughtful, steady, smart communications professional. I’ve worked with him over the years, and he knows this office and will be an asset to […]

Jim RosicaAugust 7, 2018

Despite a Tallahassee judge declaring significant parts of the state’s medical marijuana law unconstitutional, the law’s chief architect on Tuesday said he was confident the law would be affirmed. “The trial court ruling injected unnecessary uncertainty into the emerging medical marijuana marketplace,” said Senate Appropriations Chairman Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican. “I’m confident that our appellate courts will […]

Jim RosicaAugust 6, 2018

A Tallahassee judge eviscerated the state law on medical marijuana, declaring major provisions to be unconstitutional. The ruling came in a challenge brought by Florigrown, which had been denied a chance to become a “medical marijuana treatment center” (MMTC), or provider. The company is partly owned by Tampa strip club mogul and free speech advocate Joe Redner. […]

Jim RosicaJuly 16, 2018

A Destin lawyer has sued the Department of Health, saying a medical marijuana license preference for black farmers should include “Native American farmers and ranchers.” Donivon Craig Tingle filed suit in Okaloosa County Circuit Civil court last month. The suit was disclosed in a departmental “legal updates” email on Friday — the same day officials said they […]

Jim RosicaJuly 3, 2018

An appellate court delivered the equivalent of a judicial smackdown Tuesday following its decision last month to reinstate a delay on the effect of a lower court’s ruling that medical marijuana can be smoked in Florida. A unanimous three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal (DCA) issued a 5-page order calling Circuit Judge Karen Gievers‘ ruling to allow patients […]

Tag: Florida Department of Health

Department of Health: Do no harm

Health officials warn of silent killer after storm

Personnel note: Jennifer Tschetter joins Carlton Fields

‘Please explain’: Legislative panel again questions marijuana regulators

Florida urges vaccinations after 3 measles cases reported

Personnel note: Devin Galetta now deputy comm’s to CFO Jimmy Patronis

Rob Bradley says medical marijuana law will be upheld

Judge declares parts of medical marijuana law unconstitutional

Native American farmer suing state over marijuana licenses

Appellate court calls out ‘abuse of discretion’ in medical marijuana case