The fledgling pilot project led by University of Florida scientists to explore the potential of producing industrial hemp across the state is getting wings thanks to initial funding from a private partner. Green Roads Inc. has reportedly invested $1.3 million to sponsor the first phase of the UF/IFAS research program. The funds will go to support field trials currently […]
Florida
Pro-Pot Florida Candidate Says Wells Fargo Shut Her Account
A Florida politician who has run a pro-medical marijuana campaign said Wells Fargo & Co. closed her account over her ties to the industry, adding that the incident was an example of the challenges legal cannabis businesses face from the U.S. financial system. Nikki Fried, a Democrat running for state agricultural commissioner, said the bank […]
Ruling rejects limits on Florida medical marijuana businesses
In a ruling that could have a revolutionary impact if it stands, a Tallahassee judge has found a law limiting the number of medical marijuana operators in Florida runs afoul of a constitutional amendment approved by voters two years ago. The cap on the number of “medical marijuana treatment centers,” as they are known in Florida law, […]
Florida’s Medical Marijuana Director Abruptly Resigns
Florida medical marijuana director Christian Bax, who has been a frequent target of lawmakers and patients over delays in the program, is stepping down. The Department of Health said on Friday that Bax’s resignation takes effect on Aug. 10. Deputy Director Courtney Coppola has been named the interim director. Bax had led the Office of Medical Marijuana […]
One of Florida’s largest medical marijuana businesses forced to stop processing pot
Surterra, one of the state’s largest medical marijuana treatment centers, has been forced to stop processing cannabis — halting its production of new items — after it failed to meet a food safety inspection deadline in a little-noticed provision of state law last week. The requirement, which mandates that medical marijuana treatment centers complete third-party inspections in […]
Medical Marijuana Drive-Thru Coming To Florida
Medical marijuana patients will have a new option to get their pot. Curaleaf, which has pot retail outlets in Miami-Dade and Lake Worth, will be adding a new store with a drive-thru option in Palm Harbor just northwest of Tampa. The company says it’s the first dispensary in Florida with a drive-thru. The marijuana dispensary will […]
As Marijuana Dispensaries Open Their Doors, Florida Registers 5,400 New Users Per Week
Call it the New Marijuana Math: 91,000 Floridians are buying 56 pounds of pot a week under the orders of 1,400 doctors. A year and a half after an amendment to the state constitution legalized medical marijuana, the fledgling industry is finally starting to show some muscle. “On the one hand, we should have been […]
Despite Decriminalization, Miami Cops Make 40 Marijuana Arrests During Urban Beach Week
As night descended on Lummus Park this past Sunday, the smell of pot along the sidewalk was thicker than the salty ocean air. Perched on a coquina rock barrier, 20-year-old Bianca Plummer rolled a blunt with a few thimblefuls of pot. But before the young woman dressed in shorts and a black swimsuit could light […]
House Judiciary Chair Goodlatte Co-Sponsors Medical Marijuana Bill
House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte has agreed to co-sponsor a Florida Republican’s bipartisan bill to make medical marijuana research easier, his office confirmed on Wednesday. That backing by the conservative Virginia Republican potentially bolsters the bill’s chances in the House. Representative Matt Gaetz started circulating a handout Tuesday night explaining his Medical Cannabis Research Act, […]
Medical Marijuana Patient Number Tops 100,000 in Florida
Florida’s medical-marijuana patient database has hit the 100,000 mark, according to a weekly update issued by the state Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use. Marijuana supporters celebrated the number, revealed on April 20, which is also known as “weed day” throughout the nation. As of Friday, 100,576 Florida patients had registered with the […]
3 medical marijuana dispensaries to open in Osceola County, Florida
Three medical marijuana dispensaries are headed to Osceola County even as the county had placed a moratorium on dispensaries. On Feb. 19, Osceola County Commissioners approved a settlement with one of Colorado’s largest marijuana dispensary chains, The Green Solution, that grants them three certificates to open the dispensaries. In return, the company agreed to take […]
Medical marijuana dispensaries OK’d to open in March in Brevard, Florida
Medical marijuana dispensaries will be able to open in unincorporated Brevard County, starting next month, as county commissioners voted unanimously to end a moratorium on their operation. The moratorium will expire on March 9. The commission vote came after Viera residents Tom and Anita Unrath urged commissioners to help people who have medical conditions that could […]
Don’t Expect Recreational Marijuana In Florida Anytime Soon
Anyone hoping that Florida voters would get a shot at legalizing recreational marijuana in 2018 will likely be disappointed. Organizers of the two primary efforts to get the issue on the state’s Nov. 6 ballot say they won’t come close to collecting the required 766,000 petition signatures by the Feb. 1 deadline. And a decision last week by Attorney […]
Medical Marijuana Is Booming in the Sunshine State
While much of the marijuana news has focused on potential federal interference with legalized marijuana and California joining the ranks of legal recreational marijuana states, Florida has started what should become a mammoth medical marijuana business. Projections vary on the size of the Florida market for medical marijuana but the consensus estimate is that it will exceed […]
Florida Lawmakers Approve Medical Marijuana Deal Adding More Operators
Florida will have 10 additional marijuana operators — more than double the number of the state’s current vendors — within four months, under a medical marijuana proposal approved by lawmakers Friday. The Legislature signed off on the compromise measure, which limits each marijuana company to 25 retail stores across the state, after failing to reach consensus […]
Lawmakers strike deal to address medical marijuana in special session
TALLAHASSEE – State lawmakers on Wednesday reached agreement on how to put medical marijuana — passed overwhelmingly by voters in November — into effect in Florida. Legislative leaders are expected to add it to their agenda as they convene in Tallahassee Wednesday afternoon, a rare sign of consensus in a contentious special session. The agreement, […]
Florida’s medical marijuana program: What’s next?
Florida’s medical marijuana bill is in limbo. It failed to pass on the state’s last legislative session, May 5. Since it failed to pass, new rules are slated to be issued by Friday, May 13 by the Florida Department of Health. Florida senate president, Senator Joe Negron, has also indicated that he would not be […]
Florida Lawmakers Still Don’t See Eye to Eye on Medical Marijuana
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — 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 […]
