Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 23, 2017

Drug Free America is urging Florida lawmakers to “proceed with caution” as they begin crafting legislation to implement the state’s newest medical marijuana law. “While we were opposed to Amendment 2 for a number of specific reasons, we recognize Florida voters have spoken,” said Calvina Fay, the executive director of Drug Free America, in a statement. “We also […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 19, 2017

A bill filed Thursday in the Florida Senate, if passed, would expand the medical marijuana system in the Sunshine State, complying with 2016’s Amendment 2. However, some critics — inside the Senate and outside as well — have raised concerns, suggesting the bill will not have the smoothest glide path. Senate Bill 406, filed by […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 17, 2017

More patients might be eligible for medical marijuana under Amendment 2, but a preliminary draft of new rules doesn’t appear to allow for immediate growth in the industry to meet demand. On Tuesday, the Florida Department of Health released the preliminary text of proposed rule development. The release comes ahead of five public hearings schedule […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 12, 2017

Treadwell Nursery appears to be sticking with Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart. Joanna Lee Clary Bonafanti and J. Larry Williams registered with the state to lobby the Florida Legislature on behalf of the Central Florida nursery on Dec. 13. The nursery, which was one of several applicants seeking a permit to grow and distribute medical marijuana, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 11, 2017

The Florida House will push to make medical marijuana tax exempt, according the sponsor of the yet-to-be filed bill implementing Amendment 2. While lawmakers are in the early stages of drafting an implementing bill, House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues said the House does not plan to include a tax on medical marijuana in its proposal. […]

Scott PowersJanuary 6, 2017

As Colorado became a medical marijuana state and then a recreational marijuana state the laws of the land became increasingly surreal, at least in the images drawn Friday by that state’s assistant attorney general for marijuana laws for the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida. Law enforcement officers losing probable cause triggers for searches. Schools […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 6, 2017

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The Florida Department of Health has issued a final order rejecting a Northeast Florida nursery’s request for a licenses to grow and distribute medical marijuana, four months after an administrative law judge said the nursery failed to show it should have been approved. On Thursday, Surgeon General Celeste Philip issued a final order denying Loop’s […]

Scott PowersJanuary 5, 2017

Medical marijuana champion John Morgan has said repeatedly recently that the “now-what?” questions regarding Amendment 2 are in the hands of lobbyists, lawyers, and legislators; but on Thursday a lobbyist, a lawyer and a legislator told told the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce they don’t really know what’s next at this point. Lobbyist Louis Rotundo who represents […]

Associated PressJanuary 2, 2017

Dr. Joseph Dorn has had a unique vantage point when it comes to the burgeoning medical marijuana industry in Florida. Dorn was the medical director of Surterra Therapeutics, which is one of the six dispensing organizations licensed to grow and distribute medical cannabis in the state. He resigned from that position two months ago and […]

Jim RosicaDecember 30, 2016

From algebra to Zika, 2016 brought a plethora of material to the Capitol Press Corps. Trying to pick the top state government stories is a subjective pursuit, to say the least, but here are the FloridaPolitics.com picks for the passing year. In (kind of) chronological order: — Kevin McCarty ousted as state Insurance Commissioner, replaced by […]

Tag: Medical marijuana

Drug Free America urges caution as lawmakers discuss Amendment 2 implementation

Amendment 2 implementation bill filed in Florida Senate

DOH begins Amendment 2 rule-making

Treadwell Nursery hires Gunster lobbyists Joanna Lee Clary Bonafanti and J. Larry Williams

Ray Rodrigues: House bill won’t include tax on medical marijuana

Colorado official describes wild west of law with marijuana

DOH issues final order denying Loop’s Nuersery medical marijuana license

Panel: Amendment 2 firing up big bowl of who-knows-what

What to know as Amendment 2 goes into effect on Tuesday

Jim Rosica’s review of top state government stories in 2016