Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 5, 2018

Four times, lawmakers on Monday gave the state’s top medical marijuana regulator an opportunity to speak on their objections to rules and regulations on the drug. And four times, Christian Bax said nothing because it wasn’t yet time to do so, he later explained. “The department has 30 days in order to respond,” Bax, director of […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 31, 2018

Rep. Jason Brodeur is telling the state’s top health officials to get to work on medical marijuana—or they won’t get paid. The Sanford Republican has offered an amendment to the House’s 2018-19 budget proposal that would freeze more than $1.9 million in salaries and benefits for the Department of Health‘s brass, including Secretary and state Surgeon General Celeste […]

Scott PowersJanuary 29, 2018

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist is bringing a medical marijuana patient. U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch is bringing the wife of an American held hostage in Iran. U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel is bringing a trailblazing anti-sexual harassment advocate. U.S. Reps. Darren Soto and Stephanie Murphy are bringing Puerto Rico evacuees. U.S. Rep. Val Demings is bringing a police […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 27, 2018

What looks like a loss at first blush is a win for John Morgan in his legal effort to overturn the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana. A Tallahassee judge on Friday granted the state’s motion to dismiss as to People United for Medical Marijuana, the association-plaintiff, saying it didn’t have the legal standing to […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2018

An attorney arguing to overturn Florida’s ban on smoking medical marijuana says if a constitutional amendment doesn’t say it can’t be smoked, then lawmakers and regulators can’t stand in the way of patients who want to. “If you’re the Legislature, why would you pick out smoking and say no? Because this (amendment) allows it,” attorney Jon Mills told […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 23, 2018

When Floridians went to the polls in 2016, more than just names were on the ballot. Included was Amendment 2, amending our state constitution to legalize medical marijuana. Amendment 2 received the support of 71 percent of voters – surpassing the 60 percent needed for passage. Do you know how hard it is to get […]

Tag: Medical marijuana
Image via Gittings Global, Shumaker

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

Medical marijuana regulator’s silence vexes lawmakers

Jason Brodeur to Health Dep’t: No pay till progress on marijuana

Democrats’ guests to State of the Union include DACA recipient, medical marijuana patient, hurricane evacuees

Judge allows medical marijuana ‘no smoke’ case to go forward

Fate of medical marijuana smoking ban now with judge

Charlie Crist: Protecting Floridians access to medical marijuana issue of compassion