Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaAugust 17, 2018

Rachel Nordby, who’s been a deputy solicitor general for Attorney General Pam Bondi, is heading to the Shutts & Bowen law firm as a partner in the Tallahassee office, the firm announced Friday. Nordby, who starts Sept. 10, will be vice chair of the firm’s Appellate Practice Group. Her hire follows another recent high-profile addition […]

Jim RosicaAugust 13, 2018

As it defends a slew of cases over medical marijuana, the state of Florida has spent close to $2 million on outside lawyers. Nearly all of that went to one firm. Records reviewed last week show at least $1.9 million approved by the Department of Health (DOH) going to two law firms — mostly Vezina, Lawrence & Piscitelli, […]

Peter SchorschAugust 9, 2018

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Democratic Agriculture Commissioner candidate Nikki Fried will be in Orlando Thursday night for a fundraiser hosted by Democratic rainmakers. The host committee for the event includes attorney John Morgan of mega firm Morgan & Morgan, former CFO and early Fried endorser Alex Sink as well as Richard Swann, whose involvement in Democratic Party fundraising goes […]

Jim RosicaJuly 27, 2018

Christian Bax, director of Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), has stepped down after a controversial three-year tenure that frustrated patients, angered lawmakers, and witnessed an explosion in litigation. His resignation is effective Aug. 10. Deputy director Courtney Coppola will serve as interim director, Department of Health spokesman Devin Galleta said Friday. Bax’s resignation letter, released […]

Jim RosicaJuly 19, 2018

The Legislature opened the state’s wallet again Thursday, granting a request from the state’s medical marijuana regulators for another $13 million in operating costs. The approval from the Joint Legislative Budget Commission didn’t come without some grousing, however. The Department of Health, under Gov. Rick Scott, regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). House Democratic […]

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 […]

Jim RosicaJune 26, 2018

John Morgan on Tuesday said he’s “going to look at starting a fund” toward an initiative to legalize marijuana, including recreational use, on the 2020 ballot. He has previously has been on the record supporting marijuana legalization. His latest tweets move him further in terms of personally promising a political solution. The Orlando attorney and […]

Jim RosicaJune 18, 2018

An appellate court has shot down a trial judge’s order to make immediate her ruling that medical marijuana can be smoked in Florida. The 1st District Court of Appeal, in a one-page order dated Monday, quashed Circuit Judge Karen Gievers‘ order allowing patients to smoke. The state’s appeal of the decision placed an automatic ‘stay,’ or […]

Jim RosicaJune 12, 2018

In an act of ‘humble plagiarism,’ Joe Redner‘s attorney is following the lead of John Morgan in asking the state Supreme Court to take over litigation on medical marijuana. In a filing posted Monday, attorney Luke Lirot “suggests” that the state’s highest court take over deciding whether Redner — the Tampa strip club mogul — can grow and juice […]

Jim RosicaJune 5, 2018

No surprise: A Tallahassee judge has decided her ruling to allow patients to smoke medical marijuana in Florida should be effective sooner rather than later. In a Tuesday order, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said her decision will now take effect Monday, according to plaintiffs’ counsel Jon Mills. His clients include Cathy Jordan, a woman with Lou Gehrig’s disease who […]

Tag: John Morgan
U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart spoke on a range of issues during a Friday luncheon in Pinecrest, from immigration and federal regulations to America's funding questionable United Nations operations. Image via Jesse Scheckner/Florida Politics.

Personnel note: Rachel Nordby joins Shutts & Bowen

State has spent $2M on legal bills for medical marijuana

John Morgan, Alex Sink hosting Nikki Fried fundraiser Thursday

Christian Bax quits as state’s top medical marijuana regulator

Lawmakers grudgingly OK more money for marijuana regulators

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

John Morgan hints at ballot initiative for marijuana legalization

Appellate court puts hold on smokable medical marijuana

Joe Redner also wants Supreme Court to decide on medical marijuana

Judge says OK to quick effect of marijuana ruling