Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayApril 24, 2015

As is the case with so many other issues – not least of which is the $4 million budget chasm stemming from inter-cameral differences on hospital funding for indigent services – the House and Senate still seem to be quite a ways off from passing anything resembling a unified ride sharing bill to govern firms […]

James CallApril 22, 2015

Krysta is an 18-year-old Florida State University student. She’s the reason Lauren Book marches. Krysta’s abuse started when she was 6. She did not tell anyone for six years, until she first told a camp counselor, then her parents. Wednesday was the first time she has talked publicly about her abuse. “My legs are shaking, […]

Peter SchorschApril 21, 2015

SaintPetersBlog previously reported on Rep. Jared Moskowitz as someone to watch this Legislative Session and he’s proving us right. Moskowitz is quietly emerging this session as a power player in the Florida House of Representatives, despite the “D” next to his name. Since joining the House in 2012, Moskowitz has been a champion of animal rights and his passion for […]

James CallApril 19, 2015

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Florida is poised to take a significant step in making medicinal cannabis available to people who need it. This week, decisions by lawmakers at the Florida Capitol and an administrative court judge could determine when and how. Frustrated by legal challenges preventing implementation of the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014 lawmakers are pursuing a legislative fix allowing […]

James CallApril 16, 2015

Growers may want to start planning to plant cannabis seeds. Whether the authorization will come under the Compassionate Medicinal Cannabis Act of 2014, or SPB 7066, which is moving in the Senate or under an amended bill is still unclear. Rep. Matt Gaetz, however, said Thursday that Florida “is on the back 9” in clearing […]

Associated PressApril 16, 2015

The House unanimously passed a bill Thursday that would let people use experimental drugs — but not marijuana — if a doctor tells them they have less than a year to live. The “Right To Try Act” will only apply to drugs that have gone through the first phase of federal testing, though several lawmakers […]

James CallApril 15, 2015

As the House met in full session Wednesday morning, patient advocates were abuzz about a new amendment allowing terminally ill patients to use medicinal marijuana. Rep. Matt Gaetz tried to attach it to the bill that would create the Right to Try Act, which would allow patients to use experimental drugs and devices that have completed […]

James CallApril 15, 2015

Lawmakers are blazing at least three trails in an attempt to make medical marijuana available in Florida. The latest effort comes Wednesday when Rep. Matt Gaetz will try to amend HB 269, the Right to Try Act, to allow terminally ill patients to use marijuana under certain conditions. The measure filed by Rep. Ray Pilon […]

James CallApril 10, 2015

Growers, investors, and patient advocates are reading Rep. Matt Gaetz’s words on medicinal marijuana as if they were ancient tasseographers reading tea leaves. They are trying to discern whether medicinal marijuana will become available under SB 1030, approved in 2014, or SPB 7066, which is moving through the Florida Senate. “What are they doing in […]

Ryan RayApril 9, 2015

In what might be the culmination of a years-long effort to pass legislation to regulate the growing cottage industry of private halfway houses for addicts known as “sober homes,” Rep. Bill Hager has successfully shepherded his HB 21 toward passage in the House by a vote of 113-2. “Dating back to my service on the Boca Raton City […]

Tag: Matt Gaetz
The Yankees organization is generous with Helene relief in Florida. Image via AP.

House Uber bill TP’d, resolution with Senate still uncertain

Lauren Book ends trek with Tally rally to protect Florida’s children

Greyhound decoupling bill shows Jared Moskowitz proving his mettle

Important week ahead for medical marijuana advocates

Five minutes with Matt Gaetz, talking FDA lies and being on the back 9 with medicinal marijuana

Lawmaker advises dying patients to smoke pot if it helps

House joins medical marijuana debate this session

Rep. Matt Gaetz makes move on medical marijuana

Will 1030 or 7066 put medicinal marijuana in the ground?

Sober homes certification bill passes House