Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RayJuly 23, 2015

In the wake of the exit of Patti Nelson — who was at the helm of the state Department of Health’s nascent Office of Compassionate Use since its 2014 inception — the agency has picked a replacement just two days later. Taking over will be Christian Bax, who joins the office by way of CBK Consulting, […]

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 CallApril 27, 2015

The Florida Senate appears ready to move on a “glitch” bill for the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014. The chamber is also preparing to consider increasing the allowable level of THC in medicinal marijuana. Sen. Rob Bradley filed a strike-all amendment Monday to increase THC limits to 15 percent, up from the current allowable 0.8 […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 18, 2015

More than 800 Department of Health jobs will be eliminated under the House-proposed budget released Tuesday. However, the Office of Compassionate Use — charged with implementing and managing the state’s medical marijuana law — will see its staff increase by three positions under the proposed spending plan. The proposed budget also gives the Office of […]

Christine Jordan SextonMarch 18, 2015

More than 800 Department of Health jobs will be eliminated under the House-proposed budget released Tuesday. However, the Office of Compassionate Use — charged with implementing and managing the state’s medical marijuana law — will see its staff increase by three positions under the proposed spending plan. The proposed budget also gives the Office of […]

James CallMarch 2, 2015

Don Clifford’s vision is getting closer to becoming a reality. He leads a group of investors who’ve put up $7 million to build the world’s largest in-door marijuana cultivation facility. Monday he was in Tallahassee for a hearing on a proposed rule for Florida’s Charlotte’s Web law. Regulators and stakeholders have been meeting since August […]

A.G. GancarskiMarch 2, 2015

Monday’s Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act hearing proved emotional and contentious, as prospective patients, merchants, and growers issued a litany of complaints regarding holes in the statute, including the claims from medical professionals and parents that the focus of discussion was tilted to the business end and not to providing relief to patients. The greatest fireworks […]

James CallFebruary 27, 2015

The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee Thursday sent a 14-page letter to the Office of Compassionate Use asking for an explanation of a proposed rule for the Charlotte’s Web law. The letter is here. JAPC’s chief attorney Marjorie C. Holladay asked OCU director Patricia Nelson to explain how the Department of Health reached the conclusion that […]

James CallFebruary 27, 2015

The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee Thursday sent a 14-page letter to the Office of Compassionate Use asking for an explanation of a proposed rule for the Charlotte’s Web law. The letter is here. JAPC’s chief attorney Marjorie C. Holladay asked OCU director Patricia Nelson to explain how the Department of Health reached the conclusion that […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 5, 2015

One voice which was heard loud and clear at the Department of Health’s negotiated rulemaking committee was an individual without standing in the state Florida. Indeed, Joel Stanley dominated much of Wednesday’s conversation covering all issues from the importance of access to cannabis strains, to hiring chemists and other out of state experts with prior cannabis experience. […]

Tag: Office of Compassionate Use

DOH announces new Compassionate Use director

Final arguments heard in Charlotte’s Web challenge

Strike-all filed for Charlotte’s Web glitch bill

House budget would beef up DOH's medical marijuana staff

House budget would beef up DOH’s medical marijuana staff

Delayed medical marijuana draft rule goes through new public hearing

Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act hearing proves contentious

Legislature demands clarification of Charlotte’s Web draft rule

Legislature demands clarification of Charlotte's Web draft rule

Dept. of Health allowing Colorado to dominate Charlotte’s Web rulemaking process