Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Drew WilsonSeptember 13, 2018

St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes released a new ad Thursday touting his successful legislative effort to give patients more options in to fight terminal diseases. The new ad, titled “Right to Try,” features St. Petersburg osteopathic physician Rob Proietto speaking about Brandes’ role in passing a 2015 bill that authorized the use of experimental […]

Associated PressJanuary 2, 2017

Dr. Joseph Dorn has had a unique vantage point when it comes to the burgeoning medical marijuana industry in Florida. Dorn was the medical director of Surterra Therapeutics, which is one of the six dispensing organizations licensed to grow and distribute medical cannabis in the state. He resigned from that position two months ago and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterDecember 6, 2016

Knox Medical will soon begin dispensing medical marijuana to qualified patients. The company announced Tuesday it recently received approval from the Florida Department of Health to begin dispensing low-THC and medical cannabis this week. The company is set to begin initial deliveries to qualified patients Friday. Knox Medical is one of six organizations in the […]

Associated PressNovember 8, 2016

A proposed amendment to the state constitution to legalize medical marijuana has gained widespread support in Florida two years after falling just shy of passing. Most state polls have support for Amendment 2 above the 60 percent threshold needed for approval. A similar measure was on the 2014 general election ballot and received 58 percent. […]

Anne LindbergJuly 23, 2016

A Pasco County man suffering from Dystonia with Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms became the first Florida patient to receive a delivery of medical marijuana today from Trulieve, a medical cannabis dispensary. The delivery came days after Trulieve became the first dispensary to receive formal authorization from the state Department of Health to both grow and dispense low-THC medical cannabis. “Honoring our commitment to […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 20, 2016

Hackney Nursery can begin dispensing medical marijuana. The Gadsden County nursery — doing business as Trulieve — announced Wednesday it had received formal authorization from the Department of Health to dispense medical marijuana. It hopes to begin dispensing medical marijuana from its Tallahassee facility, and begin statewide deliveries, within a week. Trulieve is the first […]

Ryan RayMay 10, 2016

A panel of state economists estimates a minor expansion in Florida’s fledgling medical marijuana regime could add up to $11.4 million in new tax revenue. The Revenue Estimating Impact Conference met Tuesday for its annual post-Session hearing, where economists from the Legislature, the Governor’s office, and state agencies analyzed the likely fiscal costs and benefits of […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 23, 2016

A Senate bill that could expand medical marijuana in Florida was temporary postponed Tuesday. The proposal (SB 460) adds medical marijuana to the state’s Right to Try Act. Under the proposal, sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican, eligible patients would be able to purchase and possess marijuana for medicinal purposes. Lawmakers had […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 17, 2016

More Floridians could have access to medical marijuana under a proposal that cleared a House panel this week. The House Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday voted 17-0 to approve a proposal that expands the 2015 Right to Try Act to include cannabis. The committee combined two proposals — HB 307 sponsored by Rep. […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 8, 2016

A state House panel approved an expansion of the state’s Right to Try Act, but stripped a provision from the bill (HB 307) that would have increased the number of medical marijuana dispensing organizations. The state House health care appropriations subcommittee voted 9-2 to approve the measure, sponsored by Reps. Matt Gaetz and Katie Edwards. […]

Tag: Right to Try Act
A nice warm evening in Tallahassee on a very busy street while taking this shot.

Jeff Brandes recalls ‘Right to Try’ law in new campaign ad

What to know as Amendment 2 goes into effect on Tuesday

Knox Medical to begin dispensing medical marijuana this week

2nd try at medical pot amendment gains support in Florida

Pasco County man receives first delivery of medical marijuana in Florida

First medical marijuna in Florida to be available next week as Trulieve gets DOH approval to begin dispensing

State officials: Medical cannabis expansion could add $11.4 million in revenue

Senate temporarily postpones medical marijuana expansion bill

House panel approves expansion of medical marijuana

House panel OKs proposal adding medical marijuana to Right to Try Act