Florida Medical Marijuana Laws – March 8th, 2016 Update
The biggest update in Florida medical marijuana news at the moment is related to the Florida legislature passing HB 307 in both the House and the Senate, sending the measure to Governor Rick Scott’s desk for approval. This bill would expand Florida’s failed Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, signed in 2014, whose failed implementation has been criticized heavily by the public; with the law itself disputed by many lawsuits claiming corruption in the selection of distribution licenses. Two years after its passage, the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, or low-CBD law, has yet to benefit any qualifying patients in the state, leaving the medical marijuana community feeling misled by the Florida legislature. Criminal lawyer, Julian Stroleny, Esq. of Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney, refers to the updated HB 307 “as a poor attempt to undermine the residents of Florida from deciding on medical marijuana in November under Amendment 2. The politicians have shown they have no desire to actually get the medicine to those in need and have ensured when medical marijuana does come to Florida, those who profit from it will be their political campaign contributors.”
The current HB 307 language would allow for euphoric marijuana to be sold by one of five preselected distribution centers in the state for patients qualifying under the “Right to Try Act.” In order to qualify under the Act, patients would need permission from two qualifying doctors certifying the patient suffers from a terminal disorder that would likely cause death within one year if not treated.