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Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2015

From palace intrigues to pot, 2015 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top 10 state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year: No. 1: The “firing” of Gerald Bailey Gov. Rick Scott actually forced […]

Guest AuthorDecember 28, 2015

From palace intrigues to pot, 2015 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top 10 state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year: No. 1: The “firing” of Gerald Bailey Gov. Rick Scott actually forced […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2015

Department of Health officials Wednesday presented the first draft of rules to govern the growing, processing and dispensing of medical marijuana in the Sunshine State. But instead of a spirited debate, they mostly sat quietly, answering a few questions, but not hearing any substantive reaction from growers’ representatives or anyone else in the audience of about 25. […]

Jim RosicaNovember 23, 2015

The five nurseries in Florida approved to grow and distribute medical marijuana were announced Monday by the Department of Health, putting an end to a months-long wait by parents and their sick children who need the drug to control severe seizures. The approved nurseries by region are: Hackney Nursery Co. (Northwest) Chestnut Hill Tree Farm (Northeast) Knox Nursery (Central) Alpha […]

Drew WilsonNovember 19, 2015

A Senate committee voted Thursday to introduce a bill that would improve state programs for infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Proposed by the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs, SB 7034 renames the Infants and Toddlers Early Intervention Program to the “Early Steps Program” and requires the Florida Department of Health to […]

Staff ReportsNovember 3, 2015

Florida’s Department of Health has promoted Mara (Burger) Gambineri as the new communications director, effective Nov. 3. Gambineri replaces Tiffany Cowie who has accepted a position with the St. Johns Water Management District. Gambineri will oversee the department’s comprehensive communications efforts. “Effective communications are vital to help Florida’s residents and visitors make informed choices for their health,” […]

Guest AuthorOctober 27, 2015

Unhealthy weight has affected children in Florida well before I was appointed State Surgeon General in 2012. I knew when I took office that combating this epidemic would be my highest priority – and it was clear that doing so wouldn’t be as simple as changing the meals served in our school cafeterias. To answer […]

Jim RosicaOctober 7, 2015

Two Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday said they were filing legislation to allow stronger varieties of pot as medical marijuana in Florida. State Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach and state Sen. Rob Bradley of Fleming Island announced the bill (HB 307/SB 360) at a morning press conference in the Capitol. Gaetz told reporters he joined other […]

Jim RosicaOctober 6, 2015

Two lawmakers – one Republican, one Democrat – expressed frustration Tuesday over the state Health Department’s delay in putting Florida’s lone medical marijuana law into action. In 2014, the state legalized low-THC, or “non-euphoric,” marijuana to help children with severe seizures and muscle spasms. The department is charged with setting up a system to make sure […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 25, 2015

One of three state government officials tapped to dole out licenses for low-THC marijuana in Florida has stepped down. Last month, the Florida Department of Health on Friday announced the members of the “substantive review panel” within the Office of Compassionate Use. Florida legalized low-THC, or “non-euphoric,” marijuana last year to help children with severe muscle […]

Tag: Florida Department of Health

Jim Rosica’s top 10 stories of 2015 in state government

Jim Rosica's Top 10 stories of 2015 in state government

Medical marijuana rule-making workshop a buzzkill

Plagued by delays, Fla. Health Department awards licenses to grow medical pot

Senate panel approves changes to Florida “Early Steps Program”

Personnel note: Florida Department of Health announces new Communications Director

Dr. John H. Armstrong : School health programs can change lives, save millions

Lawmakers introduce bill for stronger medical pot

Lawmakers irked over delays in medical pot law

State worker leaves pot panel, CPA license was ‘inactive’