Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallApril 23, 2015

A potential Florida medical marijuana grower is getting every opportunity to make its case in court. Baywood Nurseries of Apopa insists the proposed rule to enact the 2014 Charlotte’s Web law by the Florida Department of Health is unfair to smaller nurseries: Blocking it from applying for one of five licenses to grow marijuana. The DOH […]

Phil AmmannMarch 25, 2015

To bring much-needed pain relief to Floridians who suffer from a variety of ailments, medical marijuana supporters must first navigate a “snake pit” of state politics, according to Bill Day‘s latest editorial cartoon. Let’s hope Florida residents will not be the ones to get bit. The Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, signed by Gov. Rick Scott […]

Phil AmmannMarch 25, 2015

To bring much-needed pain relief to Floridians who suffer from a variety of ailments, medical marijuana supporters must first navigate a “snake pit” of state politics, according to Bill Day‘s latest editorial cartoon. Let’s hope Florida residents will not be the ones to get bit. The Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, signed by Gov. Rick Scott […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 18, 2015

More than 800 Department of Health jobs will be eliminated under the House-proposed budget released Tuesday. However, the Office of Compassionate Use — charged with implementing and managing the state’s medical marijuana law — will see its staff increase by three positions under the proposed spending plan. The proposed budget also gives the Office of […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 18, 2015

More than 800 Department of Health jobs will be eliminated under the House-proposed budget released Tuesday. However, the Office of Compassionate Use — charged with implementing and managing the state’s medical marijuana law — will see its staff increase by three positions under the proposed spending plan. The proposed budget also gives the Office of […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 11, 2015

To abate a $6.9 million shortfall the Florida Department of Health has trimmed back from 22 to seven the number of Tallahassee staff administering the Early Steps program, which helps infants and toddlers with special health care needs. Department of Health Secretary John Armstrong told members of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services […]

Bruce RitchieFebruary 11, 2015

A pair of bills filed this week would wade into what became a stinky issue last year — a deadline to ban the spreading of septic tank waste on land. In 2010, the Legislature voted to ban the land application of septic tank waste beginning on Jan. 1, 2016 as part of a bill that […]

Guest AuthorOctober 19, 2014

Early this month Ben Pollara, campaign manager for United for Care, wrote a column for Context Florida challenging some of my arguments opposing Amendment 2, the medical marijuana measure on the Nov. 4 ballot. Some of Ben’s answers were just plain wrong and some were misleading, so let’s look at his attempts to answer my […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 29, 2014

The voters of Florida have an opportunity on Nov. 4 to amend our constitution and make cannabis legally available to patients with debilitating medical conditions. It’s a cause you should support, because it’s an initiative that heals rather than harms, helps rather than hurts. Long overdue, after four decades of criminal prosecutions, passage of this […]

Guest AuthorJuly 29, 2014

Proponents have argued that Amendment 2 is about providing compassionate care for people who have debilitating symptoms, pain, or are dying. But if compassionate care were what the amendment is only about, then the authors would have specifically cited non-euphoric medical weed in the amendment’s language. That’s why this amendment is a fraud. It’s a […]

Tag: Florida Department of Health
(L-R) Alex Díaz de la Portilla, Raquel Pacheco and David Rivera all won election to the Miami-Dade Republican Executive Committee last Tuesday. All also face criminal charges in yet-unresolved cases. Images via Florida Politics file.

Charlotte’s Web hearing to enter 2nd day; glitch bill still on calendar

Bill Day's latest: Charlotte's Web and the political snake pit

Bill Day’s latest: Charlotte’s Web and the political snake pit

House budget would beef up DOH's medical marijuana staff

House budget would beef up DOH’s medical marijuana staff

DOH chief John Armstrong give update on Early Step programs, staff cuts

Bills would lift 2016 ban on spreading septic tank waste

Barney Bishop: Challenges to Amendment 2 loopholes still not answered

Norm Kent: Amendment 2 brings reason, common sense to cannabis laws

Barney Bishop: Amendment 2 isn’t about medical marijuana; it’s about getting high