Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Drew WilsonOctober 14, 2015

The committee backing an amendment to legalize medical marijuana had another big fundraising month in September, largely due to due to a $293,000 cash infusion from its chair, Orlando attorney John Morgan. People United for Medical Marijuana raised another $22,000 from other donors, mostly individuals giving $250 or less, to bring its monthly total over […]

Jim RosicaOctober 12, 2015

A state panel on Monday continued to gather information as it crunches the numbers on a proposed constitutional amendment allowing the medical use of marijuana. For example, the state’s Department of Revenue told members of the Financial Impact Estimating Conference that it still hasn’t decided whether to classify medical cannabis as “agricultural production” because it is a controlled substance […]

Ryan RayOctober 8, 2015

John Morgan said Thursday that all donations in 2015 to his United for Care group, which is pushing for a constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana, will be personally matched by the millionaire attorney to the tune of nine to one. Morgan said in a prepared statement that his personal convictions will drive him to spare no […]

Jim RosicaOctober 7, 2015

Two Republican state lawmakers on Wednesday said they were filing legislation to allow stronger varieties of pot as medical marijuana in Florida. State Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach and state Sen. Rob Bradley of Fleming Island announced the bill (HB 307/SB 360) at a morning press conference in the Capitol. Gaetz told reporters he joined other […]

Tag: Medical marijuana

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

September another big fundraising month for People United for Medical Marijuana

Marijuana lollipops? Department of Revenue says they’re taxable

John Morgan says he’ll match medical pot drive donations 9 to 1

Lawmakers introduce bill for stronger medical pot