Florida House Passes Medical Marijuana Law, But Bans Smoking

Legislation passed Tuesday in the Florida House to put medical marijuana regulations into effect. A few last-minute changes were required. The House adjusted the qualifying conditions to include chronic pain, but only when it’s associated directly with a qualifying condition.

The overwhelming support of HB 1397 was shown in a 105 – 9 vote, according to Miami Herald. Patients can get certifications for medical marijuana from a doctor. Some of the changes include limiting the number of business licenses and banning smokable forms of medical marijuana.

The changes come with raised concerns that the government may find Florida’s program to be “too unregulated,” according to Republican Leader Ray Rodrigues.

He said, “We have to make it legal and available to Florida residents, but we have to do it in such a way that it complies to the guidance we’ve been given by the federal government.”

Ten new growers can be licensed. Preference for the new grow licenses will be given to those already holding license. For every 100,000 patients registering after this, four new growers will be added.

Much of the approved bill, Rodrigues said, is representative of a compromise with the Senate. The Senate discusses the bill on May 3.

Democrat Carlos Guillermo Smith says the bill is too restrictive. Other Democrats say that chronic pain and smokable marijuana should be allowed.

Smith said, “Las time I checked, Florida was the Sunshine State not a nanny state. Who are we to tell legitimate patients that they cannot smoke their cannabis? That’s not our business.”

Florida for Care doesn’t agree with Rodrigues’ choice of words.

Ben Pollara of Florida for Care said, “HB 1397 puts profits over patient access. It not only maintains but strengthens the cartel system of licensed marijuana growers in Florida. …Prices will be high, quality will be low and choices will be few.”

Rodrigues didn’t vote for Amendment 2. He says the edited bill is a compromise reflecting open patient access and marijuana’s place on the Controlled Substances Act.