Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Non-euphoric pot may nudge forward in the Legislature this year, but the window for a full-fledged medical marijuana system has all but slammed shut.
A bill by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would allow broad use of medical marijuana has not been scheduled for a committee hearing. Neither has a companion House bill, and by House rules, the deadline for that is Tuesday. Nor has leadership in either chamber shown any signs of making marijuana a high priority.
"We are in legislative purgatory," Brandes said Monday. "It's difficult to see how my bill moves forward at this point."
Brandes' bill would have allowed counties to decide on how many state regulated marijuana dispensaries would operate in their jurisdictions. It would have allowed multiple qualifying diagnoses for patients, based on a doctor's exam.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee plans to tweak last year's "Charlotte's Web" legislation that would allow for low -THC, non-euphoric pot. And Brandes said he hopes some of his ideas can be amended to that bill on the Senate floor.
"But we have missed the opportunity this year to fully utilize the legislative process, to fully vet and debate and discuss a medical marijuana bill," he said.
United for Care, the organization that sponsored last year's constitutional amendment to install and medical marijuana system, issued a gloomy plea to supporters Friday to sign petitions for a new amendment.
The group had hoped for significant legislation this year, but the news from Tallahassee "ain't looking good," the release said. "We may soon need to face the harsh reality that our only option is the 2016 ballot."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Door shuts in Tallahassee on full-fledged medical marijuana | Florida Legislature | Bradenton Herald
Author: Stephen Nohlgren
Contact: Contact Bradenton Herald or Bradenton.com in Bradenton, FL
Photo Credit: AG Supply
Website: News, sports and weather for Bradenton, FL| Bradenton Herald & Bradenton.com
A bill by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would allow broad use of medical marijuana has not been scheduled for a committee hearing. Neither has a companion House bill, and by House rules, the deadline for that is Tuesday. Nor has leadership in either chamber shown any signs of making marijuana a high priority.
"We are in legislative purgatory," Brandes said Monday. "It's difficult to see how my bill moves forward at this point."
Brandes' bill would have allowed counties to decide on how many state regulated marijuana dispensaries would operate in their jurisdictions. It would have allowed multiple qualifying diagnoses for patients, based on a doctor's exam.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee plans to tweak last year's "Charlotte's Web" legislation that would allow for low -THC, non-euphoric pot. And Brandes said he hopes some of his ideas can be amended to that bill on the Senate floor.
"But we have missed the opportunity this year to fully utilize the legislative process, to fully vet and debate and discuss a medical marijuana bill," he said.
United for Care, the organization that sponsored last year's constitutional amendment to install and medical marijuana system, issued a gloomy plea to supporters Friday to sign petitions for a new amendment.
The group had hoped for significant legislation this year, but the news from Tallahassee "ain't looking good," the release said. "We may soon need to face the harsh reality that our only option is the 2016 ballot."
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Door shuts in Tallahassee on full-fledged medical marijuana | Florida Legislature | Bradenton Herald
Author: Stephen Nohlgren
Contact: Contact Bradenton Herald or Bradenton.com in Bradenton, FL
Photo Credit: AG Supply
Website: News, sports and weather for Bradenton, FL| Bradenton Herald & Bradenton.com
