Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaApril 13, 2018

Calling it a “blue sky opportunity,” the state’s chief medical marijuana regulator opened a rule-making workshop Friday with a twist: No rules. Agencies usually issue draft rules weeks in advance of a workshop, so there’s something to comment on when interested parties arrive. Many attendees were lobbyists for marijuana providers. But Christian Bax, head of the […]

Jim RosicaApril 11, 2018

A Tallahassee judge has ruled in favor of Tampa strip club mogul Joe Redner in his fight against the state to grow and make juice out of his own medical marijuana. Circuit Judge Karen Gievers‘ order was released Wednesday. The state immediately filed a notice of appeal to the 1st District Court of Appeal. The […]

Staff ReportsApril 10, 2018

Surterra Wellness, a medical marijuana provider, says it’s “joined the fight to allow direct-to-patient sales of full cannabis plants,” according to a Tuesday press release. Surterra filed a “petition to intervene” in an administrative action by Trulieve, another Florida provider, to let medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs) “sell whole-plant cannabis.” But Trulieve’s head later on […]

Jim RosicaApril 9, 2018

If a pesticide is good enough for organic crops, it’s good enough to be used on medicinal pot, a Florida medical marijuana provider says. Liberty Health Sciences, a Canadian concern operating in the U.S., last week filed an administrative challenge over a Florida Department of Health proposed rule on marijuana pesticides. Within days, however, both sides agreed to a ceasefire, Division […]

Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2018

[Ed. Note — This story, first posted Thursday, was updated Friday.] Lawmakers on Thursday included a provision to withhold more than $1.9 million in Department of Health salaries and benefits in the final 2018-19 state budget until regulators fully implement medical marijuana. The proviso language, which “qualifies or restricts a specific appropriation,” means certain Health officials will get […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 8, 2018

The state is one step closer to removing a barrier for a black farmer to receive a medical marijuana growing license. The Senate on Thursday passed a bill (HB 6049) that would delete a provision from statutes requiring a black farmer to be a member of the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association Florida Chapter to […]

Jim RosicaMarch 5, 2018

A Tallahassee judge has set a one-day trial for May 16 in the legal effort to overturn the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana. But in her order, Circuit Judge Karen Gievers said she will first hear the state’s motion for summary judgment at 10 o’clock that morning; summary judgments allow parties to win a case without a […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 26, 2018

Lawyer-lobbyist Nicole “Nikki” Fried, who specializes in medical marijuana issues, says she might run for Governor this year after coming to the conclusion the current field of Democratic candidates “need(s) a heart transplant.” “Florida Democrats are tired of losing and are looking for a new voice: Someone different, someone who isn’t afraid to speak the truth […]

Scott PowersFebruary 21, 2018

It may have taken 16 months, an attempt by the Florida Legislature to tie local authorities’ hands, and threats of a lawsuit, but the Osceola County Commission has found what many may consider the sweet spot in approving retail sales of medical marijuana. As a result, one medical marijuana company gets exclusive rights to open […]

A.G. GancarskiFebruary 8, 2018

Arguably the greatest evidence of a disconnect between Gov. Rick Scott‘s administration and the Florida Legislature can be found in the state’s medical marijuana program. Tensions boiled over Monday in the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee, which ensures that agencies write rules that line up with statutes passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. Committee chair Kevin Rader, a […]

Tag: Medical marijuana

Dumpster diving for pot? State continues rule-making for medical marijuana

Tampa’s Joe Redner wins ‘home grow’ marijuana suit

Let us sell whole-plant medical marijuana, company says

Marijuana provider: State’s pesticide regulation too ‘stringent’

Legislature slashing Health Dep’t pay because of medical marijuana delays

Legislature backs bill removing black farmer medical marijuana requirement

Judge sets trial for medical marijuana ‘no smoke’ case

Calling for ‘heart,’ lobbyist Nikki Fried announces possible run for Governor

Osceola County finds sweet spot for medical marijuana dispensaries

Rick Scott: Department of Health doing ‘everything it can’ on medical marijuana