Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaJuly 10, 2018

State regulators have given up for now on a contentious rule requiring a hefty fee from medical marijuana suppliers. The Department of Health, which regulates the drug through its Office of Medical Marijuana Use, had first proposed in April a “supplemental licensing fee” of $174,844 from each provider. But the office on Monday, without explanation, announced it was […]

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 […]

Scott PowersJune 28, 2018

The first Florida Republican gubernatorial debate mainly focused on national issues and how they affect Florida, giving U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis chance after chance to put Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam on the defensive Thursday night. The Fox News organized, moderated, and televised debate highlighting the first day of the Republican Party of Florida’s Sunshine […]

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 25, 2018

They haven’t even been approved, but proposed rules on medical marijuana have already drawn legal challenges. Liberty Health Sciences, a licensed medicinal cannabis provider, is challenging two rules, both debuted only two weeks ago. One is on a “supplemental licensing fee” and another covers a “variance procedure” for medical marijuana treatment centers, or MMTCs, as […]

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 […]

Danny McAuliffeJune 18, 2018

According to newly filed Agriculture Commissioner candidate Nikki Fried, the state is lax on gun control and too overbearing on medical marijuana. In a campaign video released Monday morning, the Democrat makes her introduction to voters by setting up a dichotomy between pot and assault rifles. “One helps sick and dying Floridians and is over-regulated,” […]

Jim RosicaJune 15, 2018

Florida now has topped 100,000 “active” and “qualified” patients in its medical marijuana use registry, the Department of Health announced in an email Friday. But again, according to a department spokesman, that doesn’t mean the department will issue another four licenses to grow and sell medical marijuana, as provided under state law. The state had exceeded 100,000 overall almost […]

Danny McAuliffeJune 13, 2018

Gov. Rick Scott made his way through his first Cabinet meeting as a candidate for the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, and while the meeting focused exclusively on state matters, the questions that followed from reporters unsurprisingly centered on federal issues. Scott is leading his Democratic opponent, incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, in a few early […]

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 […]

Tag: Medical marijuana
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Medical marijuana regulators withdraw licensing fee rule

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

Ron DeSantis gets solid hits on national issues in Fox News debate

John Morgan hints at ballot initiative for marijuana legalization

Proposed medical marijuana rules already bringing challenges

Appellate court puts hold on smokable medical marijuana

Nikki Fried campaign video features marijuana grow-op, call for gun control

State tops 100,000 marijuana patients — but no more providers

Rick Scott talks pot, Donald Trump

Joe Redner also wants Supreme Court to decide on medical marijuana