Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

James CallMarch 16, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz began Monday morning describing an “unsolved mystery”: how to get Florida’s first legal marijuana crop in the ground and begin supplying children afflicted with a severe form of epilepsy with medicinal oil to calm their seizures — which can be fatal. “I sense an enhanced appetite for Legislative review, but how to inject […]

James CallMarch 16, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz began Monday morning describing an “unsolved mystery”: how to get Florida’s first legal marijuana crop in the ground and begin supplying children afflicted with a severe form of epilepsy with medicinal oil to calm their seizures — which can be fatal. “I sense an enhanced appetite for Legislative review, but how to inject […]

James CallMarch 6, 2015

At the end of the first week of the 2015 Legislative Session, the Capitol City’s newspaper printed an editorial cartoon that compared lobbyists to great white sharks. The cartoon asks which species pose a greater threat to Floridians; paid advocates or Jaws. Psychologists tell us we see what we know and what we know influences […]

James CallFebruary 4, 2015

Medicinal marijuana advocates will focus on a Tallahassee meeting room today and Thursday as stakeholders and officials hammer out regulations for a Charlotte’s Web law. Their focus will return to the Florida Capitol next week when the effort to broaden the authorization to use marijuana as a medicine is expected to pick up steam. Advocates from […]

Jac VerSteegDecember 23, 2014

President Barack Obama’s decision to push for normalized relations with Cuba eventually can provide new access to special smoking materials for Floridians and tourists. But I’m not talking about Cohibas. I’m talking about “legal” marijuana. As Bloomberg has explained, Obama’s decision to lift some restrictions on Cuba will not result in a flood of Cuban […]

Guest AuthorDecember 16, 2014

In the 1800s Americans could legally smoke opium. Then Chinese people came to California and started taking jobs from native-born Americans. California couldn’t kick out the Chinese, but they could take away their their opium, and that’s when the state banned opium. Until the 1900s, Americans could legally smoke marijuana. But when Mexicans started moving […]

Guest AuthorOctober 8, 2014

I smoked some marijuana the other day and went to the beach in Fort Lauderdale. I eased back in my chair, looked up and saw the a lovely formation of wispy white clouds. The late-afternoon air had a hint of Florida autumn. The water was warm. The sounds of the beachgoers were soothing. I was […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 23, 2014

What’s going on in the Florida House? Republicans are pushing compassionate laws? Taking on issues that were once reserved for bleeding hearts on the Left? Huh? First, there’s Speaker Will Weatherford, Republican beacon, staking firmly his position in favor of offering in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants. Now, there’s state Rep. Matt Gaetz, no schlub in […]

Tag: marijuana

Charlotte’s Web’s “unsolved mystery” frustrates Matt Gaetz

Charlotte's Web’s “unsolved mystery” frustrates Matt Gaetz

The week that was in Florida politics

Jeff Brandes sees quiet groundswell of support; marijuana rally planned for Tally

Jac Wilder VerSteeg: The path to pot at tribal casinos

Mark O’Brien: War on Drugs needn’t be a bust

Tom O’Hara: I’m 67 years old, I smoke pot, and it’s time to make it legal

Peter Schorsch: The Florida House and a shift in what Republicans are willing to take on