Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMay 27, 2015

After months of legal wrangling and court battles, Florida is closer to allowing production of non-euphoric medical marijuana under the law known as “Charlotte’s Web” passed last year. On Wednesday, a Tallahassee administrative judge rejected the last challenge to the state’s draft rules. Judge David Watkins dismissed the claim by Baywood Nurseries of Apopka, which said the […]

Phil AmmannMay 18, 2015

The collective stupidity of the Florida Legislature is “astounding,” attorney John Morgan says in the latest email blast to supporters of legalized medical marijuana. As the most visible advocate as the principal financial backer of United for Care, Morgan leads the largest nonpartisan organization in Florida urging voters to approve legalizing medical marijuana. As dependably blunt as […]

James CallMay 8, 2015

The latest challenge to proposed regulations for Florida’s medical marijuana law is in its final stage. Late Thursday, attorneys for the Department of Health and Baywood Nurseries filed proposed final orders with Judge W. David Watkins. The two sides repeated the arguments they made during a hearing last month. Baywood went into greater detail in […]

James CallMay 4, 2015

Stymied by legislative inaction and thwarted by legal challenges, medical marijuana supporters are taking it to the streets. People United for Medical Marijuana (PUMM) and United for Care have begun collecting signatures and raising money to get a constitutional initiative on the November 2016 ballot to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to treat sick people. […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMay 1, 2015

After the Florida House of Representatives threw in the towel this week, abandoning the legislative session three days early, medical marijuana was declared dead in Tallahassee for the 2015 session. That’s why the group United for Care has said screw it, and is heading back to the ballot box to give voters another go-round. “Our […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorMay 1, 2015

Sen. Jeff Brandes is home from Tallahassee with the list of accomplishments this session. Of bills he proposed, at least nine are on their way to the governor for a signature. One of the bills Brandes is most excited to see make its way to Rick Scott’s desk is the Local Government Pension Reform bill. Senate Bill 242 is […]

James CallApril 28, 2015

Medical marijuana advocates are now looking to 2016. One of the casualties of the budget debate waging between the House and Senate is a glitch bill for last year’s Charlotte’s Web law. SPB 7066 died Tuesday when the House unexpectedly adjourned the 2015 session three days early. “I have never seen more lobbyists with their […]

Guest AuthorApril 26, 2015

If the Florida Legislature fails to pass a medical marijuana bill this session the issue is almost certain to resurface as a proposed constitutional amendment in 2016. A similar amendment narrowly failed in 2014. However, it is widely believed that in a presidential election cycle (when Democrats in Florida turn out by 4-6 percent more […]

Phil AmmannApril 24, 2015

When it comes to legalizing medical marijuana, it may once again rest in the hands of Florida voters. With only days left in the regular 2015 Legislative Session, a new email from United for Care says legislators are seemingly satisfied with running out the clock on comprehensive medical marijuana laws. The legislative session ends May 1, […]

James CallApril 21, 2015

Word had been spreading through the Capitol this week that the attempt to broaden Florida’s medicinal marijuana law had hit a roadblock. Monday when the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee considered a Right to Try Act, allowing terminally ill patients to use experimental drugs and procedures, no attempt was made to include marijuana in the proposal. […]

Tag: Medical marijuana

Final challenge to medical marijuana rule dismissed; licensing could start by summer

Email insights: John Morgan vows to bring “pain” to marijuana opponents in 2016

Final arguments heard in Charlotte’s Web challenge

Medical marijuana advocates push toward 2016 ballot initiative

Ben Pollara puts the smackdown on Florida House over medical pot

Jeff Brandes leaves Tallahassee with impressive bill record

Medical marijuana advocates disappointed, look to 2016

Jeff Kottkamp: Medical marijuana amendment could sway 2016 presidential election

Email insights: For medical marijuana legalization, there’s always 2016

Jeff Brandes on higher levels of THC: Wait until next year