A marijuana lobbyist became the only statewide Democrat sworn into office. Smoking medical marijuana became legal in Florida. A new hemp program gave farmers statewide the optimism for a new cash crop. On the whole, 2019 proved to be a monumental year for cannabis in the state

In February, the state hired its first “cannabis czar,” in August the Miami-Dade State Attorney announced it will no longer prosecute minor marijuana cases and in October, two associates of Donald Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani sought pot licenses in the state.

The New Year brings a whole new list of things to watch in the cannabis space, like a push to let 2020 voters decide to allow recreational marijuana in the state, a list of bills that could reform the Florida marijuana industry and a state Supreme Court decision that could be pivotal in shaping the marijuana licensing system for years to come.

As the state prepares for another eventful year in the cannabis space, here’s a look back at some of the year’s biggest stories in Florida cannabis and a look ahead at what’s to come. [Read More @ The Miami Herald]