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Staff ReportsJanuary 23, 2018

Florida lawmakers are moving closer to allowing “advanced birth centers,” facilities that offer prospective mothers at minimal risk of complications an alternative to expensive hospital visits. On Tuesday, the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously approved HB 1099, which lets Florida expand the use of ABCs – the freestanding, non-hospital facilities that supply a variety […]

Jim RosicaOctober 30, 2017

A Florida nursery is suing the state over its preference in granting medical marijuana licenses to companies with underused or shuttered citrus factories. Tropiflora LLC of Sarasota filed suit against the Department of Health‘s Office of Compassionate Use—now the Office of Medical Marijuana Use—in Leon County Circuit Civil court on Friday, court records show. The […]

Mitch PerryOctober 3, 2017

A northwest Florida “health coach” has filed a lawsuit in Tallahassee federal court after the Department of Health slapped her with a cease and desist order because she doesn’t have an occupational license. Heather Kokesch Del Castillo sued in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida on First Amendment grounds Tuesday after the state reprimanded her […]

Peter SchorschOctober 3, 2017

State health agencies are relaxing premium deadlines this month for the state’s KidCare programs, giving the many low-income families in the system a little room to breathe post-Irma. The Agency for Health Care Administration announced the extension along with the Florida Department of Health Children’s Medical Services (CMS) and Florida Healthy Kids Corporation in a […]

Mitch PerryOctober 2, 2017

Surterra Wellness, the Atlanta-based company with medical cannabis dispensaries in Tampa and Tallahassee, on Monday asked the state to let it begin offering edible products in Florida. Voters last year overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment legalizing medical cannabis, and lawmakers passed legislation in June to implement the amendment. That bill allows patients to use cannabis pills, […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 29, 2017

It’s no secret that the Florida Department of Health could have handled implementing medical marijuana laws in the Sunshine State better, and it’s starting to look like they bungled it bad enough their outside private counsel – not patients in dire need of relief – are reaping the benefits on the backs of taxpayers. When lawmakers […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 25, 2017

If you had any doubts about the keen interest in medical marijuana in Florida, you don’t have to look any further than how quickly demand is outpacing supply. That’s why the Florida Department of Health is preparing to issue five additional licenses for medical marijuana businesses in early October. The people want it, and entrepreneurs […]

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 […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 19, 2017

A Homestead-based nursery is challenging a decision by state health officials to deny the grower a medical marijuana license. The Florida Department of Health last month rejected a request by Keith St. Germain Nursery Farms, which sought a license under a law approved this year. The new law, passed during a June special legislative session, […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 15, 2017

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A South Florida senator has filed the first bill in response to the deaths of eight nursing home residents this week after Hurricane Irma knocked out their air conditioning. Sen. Lauren Book, a Plantation Democrat, filed the measure (SB 284) on Friday afternoon. Among other things, it would require the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) “to determine […]

Tag: Florida Department of Health

House committee passes proposal for advanced birthing centers

Orange you mad? Citrus language leads to marijuana lawsuit

Health coach sues state’s health department

AHCA extends premium deadline for KidCare families

Grower asks state for edible cannabis rules

DOH is at it again: More lawsuits, more taxpayer dollars going to legal fees

AGRiMED, a passionate player deserves Florida medical marijuana license

Sterling Crockett: For one company, medical cannabis is personal

Nursery challenges denial of marijuana license

First legislation filed after nursing home deaths