Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressDecember 14, 2015

When Florida’s Office of Compassionate Care named five nurseries to grow and distribute medical marijuana in the state, many expected there would be a few challenges filed — but not the more than a dozen that had landed by Monday’s deadline. Department of Health officials said in an email that 13 administrative challenges across all […]

Jim RosicaDecember 11, 2015

Three Florida nurseries on Friday filed the first protests over the state’s licensing of growers of medical marijuana, according to the state Department of Health. The department confirmed receiving filings from TropiFlora of Sarasota, San Felasco Nurseries of Gainesville and Perkins Nursery of LaBelle by the close of business. Rejected nurseries have until Monday to file protests over the state’s award […]

Jim RosicaDecember 10, 2015

A medical marijuana lobbyist said a half-dozen Florida nurseries that had applied but failed to become growers “are thinking seriously about protesting” the state’s license-award process. Taylor Patrick Biehl told FloridaPolitics.com on Thursday that he and fellow lobbyist Jeff Sharkey had “spoken with seven or eight nurseries and a variety of administrative lawyers about the protest possibilities, […]

Associated PressDecember 10, 2015

Florida-Approves-5-Nurseries-To-Grow-Medical-Marijuana-1024x1024.jpg

The Florida nurseries selected to cultivate and distribute the first medical marijuana in the state have successfully reached their first benchmark. All five have posted their $5 million performance bonds mandated by the Department of Health. The deadline was Wednesday at the close of business. The Office of Compassionate Care selected the five nurseries on […]

Jim RosicaDecember 9, 2015

Department of Health officials Wednesday presented the first draft of rules to govern the growing, processing and dispensing of medical marijuana in the Sunshine State. But instead of a spirited debate, they mostly sat quietly, answering a few questions, but not hearing any substantive reaction from growers’ representatives or anyone else in the audience of about 25. […]

Guest AuthorDecember 7, 2015

I’ve been a member of the Florida Democratic Party since I first registered to vote at 18. I’ve never voted for, nor given money to, a Republican running for a partisan office. “Hyperpartisan” is an apt description of my political state of mind. But the other day, I contributed $1,000 – the maximum I could […]

Guest AuthorDecember 7, 2015

I’ve been a member of the Florida Democratic Party since I first registered to vote at 18. I’ve never voted for, nor given money to, a Republican running for a partisan office. “Hyperpartisan” is an apt description of my political state of mind. But the other day, I contributed $1,000 – the maximum I could […]

Jim RosicaDecember 3, 2015

A bill that would allow for stronger varieties of pot as medical marijuana in Florida unanimously cleared its second Senate review panel. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice OK’d the measure (SB 460) on Thursday. State Sen. Rob Bradley, the Fleming Island Republican behind the bill, said it was aimed at allowing stronger but still non-smokeable marijuana for […]

Jim RosicaNovember 23, 2015

The five nurseries in Florida approved to grow and distribute medical marijuana were announced Monday by the Department of Health, putting an end to a months-long wait by parents and their sick children who need the drug to control severe seizures. The approved nurseries by region are: Hackney Nursery Co. (Northwest) Chestnut Hill Tree Farm (Northeast) Knox Nursery (Central) Alpha […]

Ryan RayNovember 17, 2015

A bill to allow terminally ill patients to use medical marijuana passed its first committee stop in the Senate on Tuesday, hours after a House panel OK’d a similar bill. Debate focused on eliminating roadblocks to care amid nearly two years of delays since a bill to allow low-THC cannabis derivatives was enacted in 2014. […]

Tag: Medical marijuana
Epic Universe anticipation boosts Universal attendance after a rocky summer.

13 challenges filed over medical marijuana licenses

3 Florida nurseries file protests over medical marijuana licenses

Nurseries gearing up for pot protests, lobbyist says

Florida nurseries post their required performance bonds

Medical marijuana rule-making workshop a buzzkill

Ben Pollara: Why I support Jeff Brandes for Florida Senate

Ben Pollara: Why I support Jeff Brandes for Florida Senate

Bill allowing stronger medical marijuana advances in House

Plagued by delays, Fla. Health Department awards licenses to grow medical pot

“Right to Try” expansion bill adding medical marijuana passes Senate panel