Law Florida

[Baron23]

@Baron23 . I use the default xenforo background and yellow text is hard to read against the white background. I have to highlight the text like @momofthegoons recommended.

Yes, but if I use a dark color, the many people using the other background scheme can't see it. So, someone is going to have to highlight text to see it. Yeah?

My recommendation to Mom was to pick and go with a set of either light or dark background schemes but both will always result in someone not being able to easily see some part of the font color palette.

 

[Baron23]

Will Florida MMJ patients need to wait 90 days to start treatment? Lawmakers still deciding this and other regs
The Senate bill allows for quicker additions of medical marijuana treatment centers, including five more by October, and eliminates the 90-day waiting period before patients can receive cannabis

By Joe Reedy, The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers hope to agree by week’s end on medical marijuana, but the House and Senate bills still have many differences to resolve.

The Legislature is trying to come up with implementing rules for Amendment 2, which was approved by 71 percent of Florida voters last November. Rules must be in place by July and implemented by October.

Sen. Rob Bradley, speaking after his bill met its final committee approval Tuesday before heading to the floor, said talks continue with Rep. Ray Rodrigues on finding common ground, but they still aren’t there yet.

There are some similarities in the bills: Both would ban the smoking of marijuana and institute a seed-to-sale tracking system. But big differences remain: The Senate bill (SB 406) allows for quicker additions of medical marijuana treatment centers, including five more by October to the seven already operating, and eliminates the 90-day waiting period before patients can receive cannabis.


The House version (HB 1397) keeps the 90-day waiting period while banning vaping and prohibiting its sale as an ingredient in edibles such as brownies or candy.

Stephani Scruggs-Bowen of Pensacola, whose husband has epilepsy, says increased competition would help lower prices. She said the cannabis prescribed for Michael Bowen costs $500 per month in Colorado, but sells for $3000 per month currently in Florida, and does not have as much cannabidiol, the ingredient that helps prevent seizures.

“Everyone knows of people who this can help treat. They know it is not a bunch of dreadlocked hippies and stoners. It is real people like my husband,” she said.

The amendment expands the list of illnesses qualifying for medical marijuana prescriptions beyond cancer, terminal illnesses, epilepsy and chronic muscle spasms, to include HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or other similar conditions.

Ben Pollara, the campaign manager for United for Care, likes how the Senate bill is progressing, but has concerns about the House effort.

“The Senate bill has gotten better every stop of the way while the House has only gotten worse,” Pollara said. “I have to hope they meet in the middle.”

Tuesday’s Senate Appropriations Committee meeting also offered medical marijuana supporters and opponents their last opportunity to publicly comment. The House and Senate have held a combined 10 meetings and workshops this session in crafting legislation.

You folks in FL really, really, really need a new crop of scum bag politicians as your current legislature full of scum bag politicians are doing everything they can to thwart the democratic will of the FL citizens who passed their constitutional amendment with the reasonable belief that legalizing marijuana for medical purposes actually legalized marijuana...for medical purposes. If you are a bit confused, please take a look at what these assholes are proposing as restrictions on the form and method of ingestion. Fucking send these jerk-offs packing. Do it for yourself, the state of FL, and for the country as a whole. Also, anybody know why NORML in FL isn't suing the shit of the FL state government for this BS? By the by, I have read this amendment...have you?

http://www.unitedforcare.org/ballot_language

 

[Vicki]

Will Florida MMJ patients need to wait 90 days to start treatment? Lawmakers still deciding this and other regs
The Senate bill allows for quicker additions of medical marijuana treatment centers, including five more by October, and eliminates the 90-day waiting period before patients can receive cannabis

By Joe Reedy, The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers hope to agree by week’s end on medical marijuana, but the House and Senate bills still have many differences to resolve.

The Legislature is trying to come up with implementing rules for Amendment 2, which was approved by 71 percent of Florida voters last November. Rules must be in place by July and implemented by October.

Sen. Rob Bradley, speaking after his bill met its final committee approval Tuesday before heading to the floor, said talks continue with Rep. Ray Rodrigues on finding common ground, but they still aren’t there yet.

There are some similarities in the bills: Both would ban the smoking of marijuana and institute a seed-to-sale tracking system. But big differences remain: The Senate bill (SB 406) allows for quicker additions of medical marijuana treatment centers, including five more by October to the seven already operating, and eliminates the 90-day waiting period before patients can receive cannabis.


The House version (HB 1397) keeps the 90-day waiting period while banning vaping and prohibiting its sale as an ingredient in edibles such as brownies or candy.

Stephani Scruggs-Bowen of Pensacola, whose husband has epilepsy, says increased competition would help lower prices. She said the cannabis prescribed for Michael Bowen costs $500 per month in Colorado, but sells for $3000 per month currently in Florida, and does not have as much cannabidiol, the ingredient that helps prevent seizures.

“Everyone knows of people who this can help treat. They know it is not a bunch of dreadlocked hippies and stoners. It is real people like my husband,” she said.

The amendment expands the list of illnesses qualifying for medical marijuana prescriptions beyond cancer, terminal illnesses, epilepsy and chronic muscle spasms, to include HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or other similar conditions.

Ben Pollara, the campaign manager for United for Care, likes how the Senate bill is progressing, but has concerns about the House effort.

“The Senate bill has gotten better every stop of the way while the House has only gotten worse,” Pollara said. “I have to hope they meet in the middle.”

Tuesday’s Senate Appropriations Committee meeting also offered medical marijuana supporters and opponents their last opportunity to publicly comment. The House and Senate have held a combined 10 meetings and workshops this session in crafting legislation.

You folks in FL really, really, really need a new crop of scum bag politicians as your current legislature full of scum bag politicians are doing everything they can to thwart the democratic will of the FL citizens who passed their constitutional amendment with the reasonable belief that legalizing marijuana for medical purposes actually legalized marijuana...for medical purposes. If you are a bit confused, please take a look at what these assholes are proposing as restrictions on the form and method of ingestion. Fucking send these jerk-offs packing. Do it for yourself, the state of FL, and for the country as a whole. Also, anybody know why NORML in FL isn't suing the shit of the FL state government for this BS? By the by, I have read this amendment...have you?

http://www.unitedforcare.org/ballot_language

They are definitely trying to screw what we voted for.

 

[Baron23]

Rewriting medical marijuana regulations “an insult” to Floridians who voted for Amendment 2

Op-ed from The Gainesville Sun


By The Gainsville Sun Editorial Board

Via The Associated Press. The following editorial was published in the The Gainesville Sun, April 23, 2017:

State constitutional amendments aren’t suggestions. When at least 60 percent of voters feel strongly enough about an issue that they approve putting it into the Florida Constitution, they expect state lawmakers to implement the measure without revisions.

Attempts by Republicans in the Florida Legislature to rewrite recently passed constitutional amendments are an insult to the people they’re supposed to serve. From amendments dealing with redistricting to land conservation to medical marijuana, state lawmakers have time and again put their own political beliefs over the priorities of voters.

Florida’s medical-marijuana amendment was approved in November by more than 71 percent of voters. It was supposed to provide access to medical marijuana to individuals with debilitating medical conditions such as AIDS, cancer and Parkinson’s disease.


The state’s role should be setting up a system to help sick individuals get medical marijuana, not putting roadblocks in their way. Yet lawmakers are considering restrictions such as requiring patients to have a 90-day relationship with a doctor to get marijuana and banning smoking marijuana and other methods of its use.

The Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times Tallahassee bureau reported that many of these restrictions were suggested by the St. Petersburg-based Drug Free America Foundation and its lobbying arm. The group’s founders spent $1 million to try defeat the amendment and are now being allowed to determine how it should be implemented.

The Legislature is playing games with people’s lives in doing so. That was illustrated last week during a state Senate hearing on medical marijuana legislation, when a epileptic man suffered a seizure in the middle of the debate. He had come to speak about marijuana’s effectiveness in treating his condition.

Some lawmakers pushing excessive limits on medical marijuana say they’re trying to avoid the problems that lead to an opioid crisis, but they’re really just worsening that crisis. Medical marijuana provides an alternative to prescription painkillers that are responsible for addictions and overdoses.

Medical marijuana is now legal in 29 states, with seven states allowing marijuana’s recreational use. Two former Florida state lawmakers now serving in Congress — Matt Gaetz, a Republican, and Darren Soto, a Democrat — have introduced legislation to move marijuana from a classification alongside heroin to a more proper classification allowing for medical access and research.

Florida, with its huge retiree population, should be at the forefront of studying medical marijuana’s effectiveness. State lawmakers should focus on promoting such research rather than trying to rewrite an amendment that already passed.

Unfortunately the Legislature has a lousy track record in following the will of voters. Lawmakers have repeatedly failed to fund land conservation, despite a voter-passed mandate to do so, and are considering rules on solar installations that conflict with another amendment recently approved by voters.

They tried to ignore an amendment putting rules on redistricting until the Florida Supreme Court stepped in. Such obstinance goes back even further, with lawmakers repeatedly trying to circumvent an amendment limiting class sizes and using money from the voter-approved Lottery to replace state education funding and not supplement it.

Lawmakers should simply follow the state Constitution in implementing voter-approved amendments, not try for after-the-fact rewrites. The medical-marijuana amendment will provide another test showing whether lawmakers will again defy the will of the people.

In the end, it is up to voters to hold the Legislature accountable. We’re to blame if we keep approving these amendments, only to also elect people who don’t respect us enough to implement them as written.


And here it is...in more polite language that I use. Vote early, vote often, and vote these democratic initiative resisting #@! out of office. Oh, and in the meantime will somebody please sue them and take to the state supreme court for violation of the state constitution.

 

[Vicki]

Rewriting medical marijuana regulations “an insult” to Floridians who voted for Amendment 2

Op-ed from The Gainesville Sun


By The Gainsville Sun Editorial Board

Via The Associated Press. The following editorial was published in the The Gainesville Sun, April 23, 2017:

State constitutional amendments aren’t suggestions. When at least 60 percent of voters feel strongly enough about an issue that they approve putting it into the Florida Constitution, they expect state lawmakers to implement the measure without revisions.

Attempts by Republicans in the Florida Legislature to rewrite recently passed constitutional amendments are an insult to the people they’re supposed to serve. From amendments dealing with redistricting to land conservation to medical marijuana, state lawmakers have time and again put their own political beliefs over the priorities of voters.

Florida’s medical-marijuana amendment was approved in November by more than 71 percent of voters. It was supposed to provide access to medical marijuana to individuals with debilitating medical conditions such as AIDS, cancer and Parkinson’s disease.


The state’s role should be setting up a system to help sick individuals get medical marijuana, not putting roadblocks in their way. Yet lawmakers are considering restrictions such as requiring patients to have a 90-day relationship with a doctor to get marijuana and banning smoking marijuana and other methods of its use.

The Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times Tallahassee bureau reported that many of these restrictions were suggested by the St. Petersburg-based Drug Free America Foundation and its lobbying arm. The group’s founders spent $1 million to try defeat the amendment and are now being allowed to determine how it should be implemented.

The Legislature is playing games with people’s lives in doing so. That was illustrated last week during a state Senate hearing on medical marijuana legislation, when a epileptic man suffered a seizure in the middle of the debate. He had come to speak about marijuana’s effectiveness in treating his condition.

Some lawmakers pushing excessive limits on medical marijuana say they’re trying to avoid the problems that lead to an opioid crisis, but they’re really just worsening that crisis. Medical marijuana provides an alternative to prescription painkillers that are responsible for addictions and overdoses.

Medical marijuana is now legal in 29 states, with seven states allowing marijuana’s recreational use. Two former Florida state lawmakers now serving in Congress — Matt Gaetz, a Republican, and Darren Soto, a Democrat — have introduced legislation to move marijuana from a classification alongside heroin to a more proper classification allowing for medical access and research.

Florida, with its huge retiree population, should be at the forefront of studying medical marijuana’s effectiveness. State lawmakers should focus on promoting such research rather than trying to rewrite an amendment that already passed.

Unfortunately the Legislature has a lousy track record in following the will of voters. Lawmakers have repeatedly failed to fund land conservation, despite a voter-passed mandate to do so, and are considering rules on solar installations that conflict with another amendment recently approved by voters.

They tried to ignore an amendment putting rules on redistricting until the Florida Supreme Court stepped in. Such obstinance goes back even further, with lawmakers repeatedly trying to circumvent an amendment limiting class sizes and using money from the voter-approved Lottery to replace state education funding and not supplement it.

Lawmakers should simply follow the state Constitution in implementing voter-approved amendments, not try for after-the-fact rewrites. The medical-marijuana amendment will provide another test showing whether lawmakers will again defy the will of the people.

In the end, it is up to voters to hold the Legislature accountable. We’re to blame if we keep approving these amendments, only to also elect people who don’t respect us enough to implement them as written.


And here it is...in more polite language that I use. Vote early, vote often, and vote these democratic initiative resisting #@*! out of office. Oh, and in the meantime will somebody please sue them and take to the state supreme court for violation of the state constitution.

Florida is a corrupt state run by Lord Voldemort himself. Somehow, I knew they were going to pull this bullshit.

 

[elykpeace]

Corrupt is an understatement. Isn't it illegal what the house is doing... Passed over 70% yet the members speaking for the state are re writing the amendment to their liking? Also in the 17th was a meeting to bring up decriminalization for the state and was "temporarily postponed" sucks for Florida..

 

[Baron23]

Florida House Passes Medical Marijuana Bill That Bans Smoking Weed
Florida's House of Representatives proved today there is nothing its grubby little hands can't screw up. After more than 72 percent of voters statewide voted to legalize medicinal marijuana for people with "debilitating diseases," a term that includes cancer, AIDS, and Alzheimer's, the Florida House today passed its own series of rules regulating the state's new medical weed industry.

And, this being Florida, the Republican-crafted bill bans smokable weed, creates a state-controlled cartel of legal cannabis farms, and pisses off medicinal marijuana advocates across the Sunshine State. Today that terrible bill — HB 1397 — passed the House by a 105-9 margin.

"Don’t get me wrong, they made significant improvements, because even the second and third versions of the bill kept getting worse," says Ben Pollara, policy director for United for Care, the group that pushed for a medical weed constitutional amendment in 2014 and 2016. "But this is still a fatally flawed piece of legislation."

After voters passed constitutional Amendment 2 to legalize medical marijuana last year, the new law mandated that legislators write a set of rules governing exactly how Floridians can smoke medicinal weed. The initial results, which the state House debuted in February, were disastrous: The original text of HB 1397 banned all forms of smokable, edible, and vape-able weed, leading Pollara to rhetorically ask, "Well, how can you ingest it?" The bill was actually more restrictive than the laws in place before Floridians legalized medical cannabis.

After outcry from patient advocacy groups, House lawmakers amended the bill to at least legalize marijuana edibles and vaporizers for qualifying patients.

But those guidelines are far from the only boneheaded measures crippling the bill. Most notable, the House's rules require doctors to provide formal "prescriptions" for pot as opposed to "recommendations," which medical marijuana advocates prefer. The "prescription" requirement hamstrings the bill for an obvious reason: Marijuana is still federally illegal, and doctors who "prescribe" medicinal cannabis can lose their FDA licenses.

"So now, doctors who care about keeping their licenses won't prescribe marijuana," Pollara says. "Instead, only the scummiest pill-mill docs will." In an effort to prevent bad doctors from prescribing marijuana to people who don't need it, Pollara contends, the House has all but guaranteed that bad doctors will be the only ones handing out weed in Florida.

Pollara says he and United for Care have spent months lobbying House leaders to fix the "prescription vs. recommendation" section of the law. But, he says, state lawmakers have insisted on regulating medical cannabis "like amoxicillin or OxyContin," which doesn't work because weed isn't yet legal or FDA-approved.

"It's willful ignorance," he says. "It's not ignorance in an absence of facts. This is the single biggest thing we pressed the House leadership on. It's the core of the law."

In what weed advocates claim is another colossal train wreck, the bill also gives out a criminally small number of licenses for farmers to grow pot. So far, lawmakers have given out just seven licenses for the whole state. In effect, they've created a "legal pot cartel," Pollara says, whose members can work together to set prices and avoid competing with one another, just like the state's four much-despised private-electricity cartels.

And it's clear that license-holders are already able to make vast sums of money from exploiting the cartel system. Last month, the Canadian marijuana company Aphria bought a license through an arcane, complicated legal process that, analysts say, set the price of a cannabis license at $200 million.

The bill now heads to the Florida Senate for revisions. The state's 60-day legislative session ends in just three days.

"The Senate has been much more reasonable about this," Pollara says. "I hope they amend it and send it back to the House again. Right now, we've just got 72 hours to go."

But, he warns, "the state Legislature has a rich history of thwarting the will of the people."

I love the opening line of this article. So, to any Floridians reading this post, get activated. Join your state's NORML organization and any other state level org. Get politically active and express you views regarding the legislature INTENTIONALLY thwarting the direct democratic will of the citizens. Vote early, vote often, vote these people out of office. This is a travesty and I'm shocked that the state of FL is not being sued over this crap.

 

[Vicki]

I was active. I voted. Now these bastards are making MMJ a joke in Florida.

 

[Baron23]

I was active. I voted. Now these bastards are making MMJ a joke in Florida.

The war ain't over, Vicki. Stay engaged! Vote these (ok, Mom...I won't say) 'people' out of office. LOL

Florida House, Senate down to wire on medical marijuana
Submitted by Marijuana News on Fri, 05/05/2017 - 08:22

With just one day left to pass a bill, House and Senate Republican leaders are still struggling to strike a deal on the rollout of a voter-approved constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana for patients with debilitating conditions.

The leaders have reached agreement on a variety of issues — including the number of medical marijuana operators in the state — but remain divided on a major sticking point: how many dispensaries each marijuana treatment center would be allowed to run.

“If this doesn’t work out, this will be the reason,” Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who is shepherding the measure, said before the Senate’s 31-7 vote Thursday evening in favor of the Senate version of the proposal (HB 1397).

Prior to the vote, the Senate adopted a number of changes to bring Bradley’s plan more into line with the House’s version, sponsored by House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero.

Both plans now would require the Florida Department of Health to issue 10 new medical marijuana licenses — the Senate would give the agency until Oct. 1, while the House would give health officials until July 2018 — on top of the state’s seven current marijuana businesses. The number of licenses would increase as the number of patients registered in a statewide database grows.

Both the House and Senate would allow patients to use vaporizers and permit marijuana purveyors to sell edibles, include accommodations for snowbirds who have permission to use pot in other states, and require cannabis products to be independently tested.

But a major source of contention continues to be how many retail shops the marijuana cultivators should be allowed to operate, an issue that emerged late in the legislative session.

The House had originally been more restrictive in the number of licenses for the businesses responsible for growing, processing and distributing the cannabis products but wants to allow an unlimited number of dispensaries.

Late Thursday, the Senate amended its plan to limit medical-marijuana treatment centers to five retail locations, at least for now. The number of dispensaries would grow as the number of patients registered in a statewide database increases.

“Our rationale is that this position strikes the right balance … but that there will not be a dispensary on every corner,” Bradley said, noting that his plan could result in 85 dispensaries by the end of the year.

Under the Senate’s formula, operators could add another dispensary each time another 75,000 patients are registered in the state database. Both the House and Senate plans would require health officials to issue five more licenses each time another 75,000 patients are registered.

House and Senate leaders need to reach a final agreement Friday. Though lawmakers are expected to meet Monday to approve the state budget and budget-related bills, Friday is the final day they plan to consider other legislation. The session was scheduled to end Friday but had to be extended into next week to resolve the budget.

Sen. Jeff Clemens, who has repeatedly filed legislation that would legalize medical marijuana, spoke in favor of the Senate plan but took issue with a proposed ban on smoking cannabis. He said the ban could ultimately do more harm to patients.


“Is smoking good for your health? Maybe it isn’t. But it’s better than dying,” Clemens, D-Lake Worth, said.


John Morgan, the Orlando trial lawyer who largely bankrolled the constitutional amendment, has threatened on Twitter to sue over the smoking issue.

But other proponents of the constitutional amendment are backing the Senate plan, even though critics argued that restricting the number of dispensaries could have a negative impact on patient access.

“This legislation must be headed to Governor Scott by the end of the day tomorrow. Hundreds of thousands of sick and suffering Floridians are counting on it,” Ben Pollara, campaign manager for the political committee that backed the amendment, said in a statement.

Lawmakers are under pressure to agree on a way to implement the amendment, which gives the Department of Health until October to come up with rules to govern the medical marijuana industry. The constitutional amendment also allows anyone to sue the state if officials fail to properly implement the measure.

“We have to act on it. We can’t shirk that duty,” said Sen. Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican slated to take over as Senate president late next year. “Not being able to reach an agreement with the House just puts it in an ambiguous state that probably puts it in litigation.”

Rep. Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, told The News Service of Florida on Thursday that the two chambers would continue to negotiate over the marijuana legislation.

“Our bill passed over here, so we like our bill. Obviously, this (the bill) comes back now, the conversation continues. But there’s still a conversation. There’s been no settlement on it,” Oliva, who will take over as House speaker next year, said. “We are running out of time, that’s for sure. It’s Thursday. But I think we can get it done.”

 

[Vicki]

So, we can vaporize flowers, not just expensive concentrates? Edibles? Reason I ask is because my closest dispensary only sells #30 caps of low dose CBD for over $100.00 a bottle, and one ounce jars of tincture, again for over $100.00 a bottle.

I want to see real MMJ. I want choices, not restrictions. Not signing up for anything until this is real.

 

[momofthegoons]

The problem with many states when they propose legalization is the fine print in the bill that most citizens don't see or understand. And in their anxiousness to see medical marijuana in their state, voters vote a bill in and that fine print doesn't come to light until after the bill has passed. It often takes several attempts to get legalization 'right.' Michigan is still a work in progress.

 

[Vicki]

The problem with many states when they propose legalization is the fine print in the bill that most citizens don't see or understand. And in their anxiousness to see medical marijuana in their state, voters vote a bill in and that fine print doesn't come to light until after the bill has passed. It often takes several attempts to get legalization 'right.' Michigan is still a work in progress.

At least you have choices. There are no real choices here in Florida. :(

 

[momofthegoons]

At least you have choices.

We do now. At first; concentrates and edibles weren't legal. It's all ebb and flow. Each time the bill gets drafted, they think of the stuff they missed the last time. It goes through a couple two year cycles. I know it's tough waiting... but hopefully your activists in Florida can get it done right next time around.

 

[Baron23]

The problem with many states when they propose legalization is the fine print in the bill that most citizens don't see or understand. And in their anxiousness to see medical marijuana in their state, voters vote a bill in and that fine print doesn't come to light until after the bill has passed. It often takes several attempts to get legalization 'right.' Michigan is still a work in progress.

Hi Mom - yeah, but I have read the text of the FL constitutional amendment (matter of fact, I thought I might have posted the full text somewhere) and there is little doubt in my mind that FL legislature is intentionally undermining the clear will of the people expressed in that text.

Matter of fact, its right here:
http://www.unitedforcare.org/ballot_language

FL's amendment vs what they are legislating is a travesty of democracy IMO.

 

[momofthegoons]

Hi Mom - yeah, but I have read the text of the FL constitutional amendment (matter of fact, I thought I might have posted the full text somewhere) and there is little doubt in my mind that FL legislature is intentionally undermining the clear will of the people expressed in that text.

What I do not see in that proposal are clear guidelines as to what qualifies as 'medical marijuana.' They do not define flower, concentrates, edibles, etc., as being legal under the law.

The only place they do any type of itemization is in #5 under 'Medical Marijuana Treatment Center:'

(5) “Medical Marijuana Treatment Center” (MMTC) means an entity that acquires, cultivates, possesses, processes (including development of related products such as food, tinctures, aerosols, oils, or ointments), transfers, transports, sells, distributes, dispenses, or administers marijuana, products containing marijuana, related supplies, or educational materials to qualifying patients or their caregivers and is registered by the Department.

Doesn't look clear cut to me.

 

[CarolKing]

It sounds like big business can't wait to get their hands on the Florida's Medical cannabis and the lawmakers are going along with it. How many of them are getting kick backs regarding how they voted? It sure looks like a cartel. I had read that same article above and was going to post it . You beat me to it.

 

[Baron23]

What I do not see in that proposal are clear guidelines as to what qualifies as 'medical marijuana.' They do not define flower, concentrates, edibles, etc., as being legal under the law.

The only place they do any type of itemization is in #5 under 'Medical Marijuana Treatment Center:'

Doesn't look clear cut to me.

Well, it does say in many places "marijuana". E.G.: "Allows medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician."

Now, looking up the definition of marijuana, from Websters: "the dried leaves and flowering tops of the pistillate hemp plant that yield THC and are smoked in cigarettes for their intoxicating"

In the amendment, it does cite “Marijuana” has the meaning given cannabis in Section 893.02(3), Florida Statutes (2014), and, in addition, “Low-THC cannabis” as defined in Section 381.986(1)(b), Florida Statutes (2014), shall also be included in the meaning of the term “marijuana.”

Looking at that statue, it says: "“Cannabis” means all parts of any plant of the genus Cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant or its seeds or resin."

So, we have an amendment that allows the citizens of FL to legally use medical marijuana with a Dr's determination. We then have the common definition of "marijuna" as including the leaves and flowers of the plant and the amendment defines "marijuana", by cross reference to another statue, as "all parts of any plant of the genus Cannabis."

To me, this says that the amendment allows use of marijuana, to include its botanical form, with a Dr's recommendation.

Doesn't look too muddy to me, but I'm militant! LOL

 

[Baron23]

Up in Smoke: Florida Legislature Can’t Agree on Medical Marijuana

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Rules to enact Florida’s medical marijuana amendment went up in smoke on Friday after the Legislature failed to pass a bill.


The House and Senate agreed on most key parts of a bill putting rules in place for Amendment 2. But it collapsed on Friday when the chambers could not agree on the number of retail dispensaries that a medical marijuana treatment center can operate

The House voted 99-16 on a bill with the amended language (HB 1397) that put the limit at 100 per treatment center but the Senate, which limited it to five per treatment center, did not take it up.

It will now be up to the Department of Health to come up with rules for patients, caregivers, doctors and treatment centers by July 3 and have them implemented by October.

House Speaker Richard Corcoran blamed the Senate for the failure of legislation, complaining that they wanted to tax medical marijuana and that the Senate proposal would have forced patients to drive hours in order to get cannabis.

“To pass what they wanted had nothing to do with the will of the voters,” Corcoran said.

Senate President Joe Negron said that the chambers had different approaches on licenses and dispensaries that they were not able to reach middle ground.

Michael Bowen, who is on the Board of Directors for the Florida Epilepsy Foundation, suffered a grand mal seizure during a Senate committee hearing on April 18. He said Friday that with the legislature’s inaction those who suffer epileptic seizures are at greater risk due to lack of access to cannabis.

“I am 100 percent disgusted. They needed to get something passed. They can hammer out the finer points in future sessions,” he said.

Currently, low-THC and non-smoked cannabis can be used by patients suffering from cancer, epilepsy, chronic seizures and chronic muscle spasms. The law was expanded last year to include patients with terminal conditions and allowed them to use higher strains.

The bill would have allowed those who suffer chronic pain related to one of 10 qualifying conditions to receive either low-THC cannabis or full strength medical marijuana.

Patients could have received an order for three 70-day supplies during a doctor’s visit that they could then take to a medical marijuana treatment center. Besides oils and sprays, those centers would have been allowed to expand sales to edibles and vaping products but smoking would still be banned. It also would have added 10 more medical marijuana treatment centers by July 1, 2018.

The Department of Health held five workshops throughout the state in early February to take input on rules.

Department of Health spokeswoman Mara Gambineri said they still continue to review public comments while coming up with proposed rules. Litigation is expected over whatever rules the department comes up with, based on its prior rulemaking history.

“The legislature chose political gamesmanship over the will of 71 percent of voters,” said Florida for Care Executive Director Ben Pollara. “The House got to poke the Senate in the eye one last time, but the real losers are sick and suffering Floridians.”

Just when you think that the bar on government incompetence and mendacity just can't go any lower, we are saved by the FL legisilature who has shown us that there are indeed much greater depths yet to be reached. What a bunch of bozos.

 

[Vicki]

I knew they were going to do something like this.

 

[CarolKing]

The way FL legislature works together, it looks like Florida's Dept of Health maybe a better solution. They are getting input from patients. It looks like they are reaching out. I don't live in Florida so I don't have a clue. I'm hoping that eventually you guys get a good system in place that is patient centered.