Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJanuary 5, 2017

Medical marijuana champion John Morgan has said repeatedly recently that the “now-what?” questions regarding Amendment 2 are in the hands of lobbyists, lawyers, and legislators; but on Thursday a lobbyist, a lawyer and a legislator told told the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce they don’t really know what’s next at this point. Lobbyist Louis Rotundo who represents […]

Ryan RayNovember 17, 2015

A bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana passed its first committee stop in the Senate on Tuesday, hours after a House panel OK’d a similar bill. Debate focused on eliminating roadblocks to care amid nearly two years of delays since a bill to allow low-THC cannabis derivatives was enacted in 2014. […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 11, 2015

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 5 p.m. to include comments from Gary Rutledge. The results of the first-ever audits of lobbyists’ compensation forms are in, with auditors finding a number of firms either under-reporting or over-reporting the money they made in 2014. In another case, auditors couldn’t tell who had paid a particular bill. […]

James CallMarch 31, 2015

Sen. Rob Bradley was the man in the arena at Tuesday’s Health Policy Committee meeting. He had to beat back challenges from two factions wanting changes in his SB 7066, a Charlotte’s Web fix (he prefers not to call it a glitch bill) and address complaints from stakeholders wanting an end to the bickering between regulators and growers over rules getting […]

James CallMarch 31, 2015

Sen. Rob Bradley was the man in the arena at Tuesday’s Health Policy Committee meeting. He had to beat back challenges from two factions wanting changes in his SB 7066, a Charlotte’s Web fix (he prefers not to call it a glitch bill) and address complaints from stakeholders wanting an end to the bickering between regulators and growers over rules getting […]

James CallMarch 22, 2015

Florida Medical Cannabis Association lobbyist Louis Rotundo nailed it this past month when he said, “We’re about to smoke them out.” Rotundo commented after the Department of Health released a proposed Charlotte’s Web rule, a product of a negotiated rule-making session with stakeholders in a medicinal marijuana industry. “I think the Department did as good […]

James CallMarch 22, 2015

Florida Medical Cannabis Association lobbyist Louis Rotundo nailed it this past month when he said, “We’re about to smoke them out.” Rotundo commented after the Department of Health released a proposed Charlotte’s Web rule, a product of a negotiated rule-making session with stakeholders in a medicinal marijuana industry. “I think the Department did as good […]

James CallJanuary 5, 2015

The Florida Department of Health has responded to stakeholders’ requests and will create a negotiated rule making committee to implement a medicinal marijuana law. A committee of seven representing various parties with an interest in the state’s Charlotte’s Web law and DOH representatives will meet Feb. 4 in Tallahassee. “This is a positive development and […]

James CallJanuary 5, 2015

The Florida Department of Health has responded to stakeholders’ requests and will create a negotiated rule making committee to implement a medicinal marijuana law. A committee of seven representing various parties with an interest in the state’s Charlotte’s Web law and DOH representatives will meet Feb. 4 in Tallahassee. “This is a positive development and […]

Guest AuthorDecember 7, 2014

With apologies to Sir Walter Scott, oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to allow marijuana to be used as medicine. Implementing the Charlotte’s Web medical marijuana legislation is at a standstill and may remain that way for some time. Last month an administrative law judge rejected proposed rules drafted by the Department […]

Tag: Louis Rotundo

Panel: Amendment 2 firing up big bowl of who-knows-what

“Right to Try” expansion bill adding medical marijuana passes Senate panel

Lobbying audit reports find discrepancies big and small

Charlotte’s Web fix advances; Rob Bradley says never say never to changes

Charlotte's Web fix advances; Rob Bradley says never say never to changes

Charlotte’s Web glitch bill to fly Monday, bypass rules to get pot going

Charlotte's Web glitch bill to fly Monday, bypass rules to get pot going

Dept. of Health wants negotiated rulemaking for Charlotte’s Web

Dept. of Health wants negotiated rulemaking for Charlotte's Web

James Call: ‘Charlotte’s Web’ tangled up in legal dispute about regulations