Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayNovember 17, 2015

A bill to allow dying patients to use medical marijuana as a palliative treatment passed its first hurdle in the House Tuesday morning. The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved House Bill 307 by Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and Democratic prime co-sponsor Rep. Katie Edwards by a vote of 9-4. Panel chair Rep. Carlos Trujillo was among the four Republicans voting ‘No.’ The […]

Ryan RayNovember 16, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes filed new medical marijuana legislation Monday, saying he hopes to implement a “free-market regulatory approach” to legalized medical cannabis. “This legislation recognizes the growing support in Florida for the medicinal use of marijuana as an additional option for physicians in the treatment of their patients,” said Brandes in a prepared statement. “We build on […]

Associated PressNovember 13, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court is canceling a Dec. 8 hearing scheduled to consider a measure to legalize medical marijuana. The court announced the decision Friday. The move comes a few days after Attorney General Pam Bondi said she will not ask the court to block the latest medical marijuana amendment. The Supreme Court is reviewing […]

Drew WilsonNovember 11, 2015

The committee backing an amendment to legalize medical marijuana had another big fundraising month in October, largely on the back of its chairman, Orlando lawyer John Morgan. Morgan contributed $237,978 of the $337,292 raised last month by United for Care-People United for Medical Marijuana. Regular donor Barbara Stiefel wrote the committee another check for $40,000 […]

Gary FineoutNovember 9, 2015

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who loudly opposed a medical marijuana measure that appeared on the 2014 ballot, is staying on the sidelines this time around. Bondi said she is still opposes the effort to legalize medical marijuana, but the state’s top legal officer is remaining silent on whether the Florida Supreme Court should block […]

A.G. GancarskiNovember 3, 2015

Jacksonville finally is on the verge of having a Charlotte’s Web bill, addressing cultivation, processing, and dispensing of low-THC cannabis. It comes after a tortuous process that spanned two classes of Jacksonville’s City Council, encompassed five months and two moratoriums, and took three joint workshops between Land Use and Zoning and the Planning Commission this fall. The […]

Phil AmmannOctober 29, 2015

As the Florida House was about to pass the legal guidelines for growing medical pot in our state, an amendment ensured a small group of Florida nurseries would be the only folks allowed to propose handling the crop. The amended bill was signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott in 2014. News reports at the […]

Jim RosicaOctober 23, 2015

If Florida ever approves medical marijuana for sale in the state, expect to pay tax on it. Medical pot is “tangible personal property” that is “subject to sales and use tax,” a state economics panel has found. “Annual state and local government sales tax revenues could increase by an estimated $67 million after taking into account […]

Jim RosicaOctober 21, 2015

The Florida Supreme Court has ordered oral argument for its review of a proposed constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana. The court posted the order to its website Wednesday; the order was signed Tuesday. Argument was scheduled for 9 a.m., Dec. 8. The court ordered briefs by Oct. 30 and “answer” briefs by Nov. 9. Attorney General Pam Bondi had formally asked for the review to […]

Ryan RayOctober 19, 2015

A group of economists representing the executive branch, both houses of the Legislature and various state agencies identified a handful of sticking points – but few if any definitive solutions – when it comes to the possible economic impact of a 2016 ballot initiative legalizing marijuana. Among the issues discussed by the Florida Impact Estimating […]

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

Expanded medical marijuana regime bill passes House panel

Jeff Brandes files bill to scrap, replace state medical marijuana law

Supreme Court cancels December hearing on medical marijuana

Medical marijuana supporters score another big fundraising month in October

AG Pam Bondi won’t ask court to block pot measure

Jacksonville holds final Charlotte’s Web workshop

Halsey Beshears tangled up in Charlotte’s Web

State panel: Medical pot can be taxed

Supreme Court orders oral argument for medical pot amendment

State economists deliberate over fiscal impact of medical marijuana amendment