Florida Is Hosting Public Workshops for Medical Marijuana Program

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is holding public workshops this week in several major cities regarding the state’s medical marijuana program. If you have questions about Question 2’s rules or even a comment on the program’s structure, you’re encouraged to attend.

Tuesday’s workshop is scheduled in Fort Lauderdale, according to Miami Herald. On Wednesday, the workshops are in Orlando and Tampa.  Thursday’s workshop is in Tallahassee. The workshops are to aid residents in understanding the limitations and availability of medical marijuana throughout Florida. The program has faced a lot of scrutiny due to its strict restrictions.

DOH spokesperson Maria Gambineri said, “We expect significant participation. We’ve already received more than 450 written comments. We will compile and review all stakeholder input and incorporate ideas as we proceed in the next steps of the rule-making process.”

Amendment 2, as written, is heavily restricted. Expansions to the program are already wanted to include more access, more product types and more qualifying conditions. The state is considering leaving its 7-licensed growers and processors as is, with no plans for expansion there. The list of qualifying conditions is likely to be limited to just 10.

Making changes to the rules, as some argue, would essentially nullify the initial rules of Amendment 2.

Chairman of Florida for Care, Ben Pollara said, “As the Department of Health is moving to implement Amendment 2 they are choosing to ignore and disregard elements that we all supported that fail to give those suffering the access they deserve.”

Lawmakers don’t agree on the topic. Some believe that expansions are necessary; others believe that Amendment 2 should be left as is. Senator Jeff Brandes has filed a bill to allow for smokable forms of medical marijuana and opening up the market to allow for competition.

Brandes said, “I don’t think the Department of Health is paid to have courage. They’re paid to enact existing laws.”

Pollara closed his commentary by saying, “There’s always the chance that [lawmakers], for whatever reason, don’t pass anything. If that’s the case, then what the department does is it. That’s the law of the land, at least until next session, and for that reason it’s incredibly important.”