Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 3, 2017

A Senate panel is poised to approve legislation this week that could add five more medical marijuana treatment centers in Florida by October and lower the threshold for adding additional treatment centers in the future. The Senate Health Policy Committee is scheduled to discuss and vote on a bill (SB 406), sponsored by Sen. Rob […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 28, 2017

A House panel approved legislation Tuesday that would implement the 2016 medical marijuana constitutional amendment, despite concerns from some advocates the proposal doesn’t honor the spirit of the amendment. The House Health Quality Subcommittee voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill (HB 1397) that would implement the 2016 constitutional amendment. Sponsored by House Majority Leader Ray […]

Michael MolineMarch 24, 2017

Legislation that would exempt medical marijuana from sales taxes would cost $24.3 million per year to Florida’s tax receipts, according to an estimate by state economists Friday. HB 1397, by Fort Myers Republican Ray Rodrigues, is one of five medical marijuana bills to enact Amendment 2 that are circulating in the Legislature. It would impose […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 22, 2017

Sen. Rob Bradley indicated he is willing to support opening up the medical marijuana market more than he first proposed, but continues to believe vertical integration is the right system for Florida. Bradley, an Orange Park Republican, filed one of five medical marijuana implementing bills this Legislative Session. His proposal (SB 406) would, among other […]

Phil AmmannMarch 14, 2017

The University of Florida would get about $2.5 million to study the effectiveness of medical marijuana under a bill that cleared the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee Tuesday. HB 3159 by Cape Coral Republican Rep. Dane Eagle is aimed at the compassionate use bill lawmakers approved in 2014, which legalized low-THC, high-cannabidiol marijuana for the […]

Scott PowersMarch 6, 2017

A new bill introduced Monday to enact Florida’s medical marijuana program is being sharply criticized by promoters of Amendment 2 for keeping the budding business restricted to the state’s current seven approved producers. Senate Bill 1758, introduced by state Sen. Denise Grimsley, the Republican from Lake Wales, lays out how Florida should manage and regulate […]

Scott PowersFebruary 15, 2017

As at least one key lawmaker pushes to open Florida’s coming medical marijuana industry to a free market and the current seven licensed companies fight to keep it tight, a new advocacy group is emerging saying it wants to help develop a middle ground. Smart Medicine For Florida will be pushing for regulations that would assure quality, safety, […]

Joe ReedyFebruary 13, 2017

Three months after Florida voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment on medical marijuana, state health officials and prospective pot-seeking patients are at odds over proposed rules that would spell out who could get marijuana. State officials have recommended restrictions on what type of patients can qualify for medical marijuana, and where they can obtain it. […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 1, 2017

The Tampa Bay Times is just plain wrong about something, and it has stuck in my craw for nearly a week now. Last Thursday, a Times headline read: “Voter intent on medical marijuana ignored.” Two days later, columnist John Romano followed suit with virtually the same narrative. “Ignored?” The clear inference of the editorial – […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 30, 2017

A South Florida medical marijuana dispensing organization is thinking ahead, entering into a strategic partnership to help plan for future growth. Modern Health Concepts, a South Florida-based medical cannabis provider, announced last week that shareholders successfully formed a strategic partnership with PalliaTech Inc. Created in 2010, the Massachusetts-based company began as a medical device company […]

Tag: Medical marijuana

Senate amendment quickens pace for medical marijuana treatment center growth

House Health Quality Subcommittee approves medical marijuana implementing bill

Revenue conference prices sales tax exemption for medical marijuana

Senate begins discussion of medical marijuana implementing legislation

House bill advances to give University of Florida $2.5M for medical marijuana study

Senate medical marijuana bill keeps industry restricted to seven distributors

New group seeks to steer medical marijuana between control, free market

Florida officials, voters clash over medical marijuana rules

Saying voter intent ‘ignored’ on medical marijuana, Tampa Bay Times is just plain wrong

Modern Health Concepts, PalliaTech team up as Florida’s medical pot industry grows