
It creates a drain on the resources of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and our criminal justice system. The prohibition of cannabis in Florida funds the Mexican Drug Cartels and violent crime. Reasons Medical Marijuana Passed in Florida by 71% Our attorneys also represent clients subjected to enforcement actions initiated by law enforcement and the Florida Department of Health against patients, medical marijuana physicians, and businesses that are accused of operating outside the regulatory structure in Florida.Ĭall (813) 250-0500 for a consultation today. The attorneys at the Sammis Law Firm work with clients to stay in compliance with the new regulations. We all have an interest in how the Medical Marijuana laws in Florida are being implemented. The Florida Department of Health is moving to implement Amendment 2, but they are choosing to ignore and disregard the most important elements of the amendment. Attorneys for the Legalization of Medical Marijuana in Florida More workshops are scheduled in Tallahassee in April of 2018. Also in March of 2018, 13 new rule-making processes began at the Department including dosing and edible hearings in Miami and Orlando, and meetings on testing and pesticides in Jacksonville and Tallahassee. In March of 2018, Florida’s legislature passed a bill to fix the delays that still exist in Florida’s medical marijuana system including an amendment to cut millions in DOH salaries if they do not fix these issues by the summer of 2018. Many of these violations were made by the Department of Health (DOH). More than 40 distinct operation violations have occurred for failing to provide a working regulatory system for patients, caregivers, testing facilities, and manufacturers. Section 381.986(1)(j)(2) provides that “medical use” does not include possession, use, or administration of marijuana in a form for smoking, in the form of commercially produced food items other than edibles, or of marijuana seeds or flower, except for flower in a sealed, tamper-proof receptacle for vaping. See 43 2698 (June 16, 2017).Īmazingly, the legislation contains an explicit prohibition found in Section 381.986(1)(j)(2) on the administration of medical marijuana by smoking, although it allowed for the possession of medical marijuana flower vaping. The Florida Department of Health has taken the position that the phrase “qualifying debilitating medical condition” would have the same definition as “qualifying medical condition” in Section 381.986(2). The Florida Department of Health issued notices of proposed regulations on medical marijuana. When legislators passed an amendment to cut the OMMU’s entire budget if they do not move forward more quickly, the next day OMMU had put out 20 new rules and set up four public hearings in the next two months. The DOH is now being pressured to expedite implementation and be more transparent. The amendment prohibits patients from smoking or burning marijuana flowers, which for many patients is the primary way to administer the medicine. The bill was signed into law by the Governor of Florida on June 23, 2017, and is codified as Fla. Amendment 2 of the Florida Constitution allowed qualified physicians to issue a physician certification for the medical use of marijuana by individuals with debilitating medical conditions.Īdvocates for the reform of marijuana laws in Florida need to keep applying pressure, submitting comments, and pushing for best practices.Īfter the passage of Amendment 2, many questions remain unanswered even after the passage of enabling legislation enacted through Senate Bill 8A on June 9, 2017.

With over 71% of Florida voters passing Amendment 2 in 2016, many Florida residents thought that the will of the people would be followed.

Legalization of Medical Marijuana in Florida
