Cannabis in Florida
Cannabis in Florida is legal for medical use, but illegal for recreational use.
CBD oil (2014)
On 20 March 2014, the Florida House of Representatives Budget Committee passed the "so-called Charlotte's Web measure (CS/HB 843)"[1] designed to limit prosecutors' ability to prosecute those in possession of low THC/high CBD marijuana ("0.5 percent or less of tetrahydrocannabinol and more than 15 percent of cannabidiol") used for treating seizures. The bill took effect 1 July 2014.[2][3]
Failed medical cannabis (2014)
A constitutional amendment sponsored by United For Care obtained 745,613 signatures by January 24, 2014 (683,149 were required by Feb. 1). The Supreme Court in Florida ruled 4-3 in favor of allowing the initiative to be decided by voters in the November election, which was decided on January 27, 2014. The House Bill and the Senate Bill for the legalization of medical marijuana is called the "Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act" which received its first read on March 4, 2014 and states: "requiring the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to regulate the manufacture, cultivation, possession, wholesale distribution, dispensing, purchase, delivery, and sale of cannabis for medical use and the manufacture, possession, purchase, sale, use, and delivery of drug paraphernalia; providing that the department is responsible for the licensure and permitting of dispensaries and medical cannabis farms and the registration of owners, directors, officers, members, incorporators, employees, and agents of such farms and dispensaries, etc." This bill would create more restrictive rules then exist in any of the other states which have legalized medical marijuana. HB 843 ("Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act") only allows cannabis oil that contains more than 15% of cannabidiol (CBD) and no more than 0.5% THC.[4]
In 2014, Florida Amendment 2 (2014) put the question of legalizing medical marijuana to voters. "Amendment 2" failed, receiving 57.6% of the vote; this was short of the 60% supermajority required for constitutional amendments in Florida.[5]
Medical cannabis (2016)
Florida Amendment 2 (2016) passed during the general election on November 8, 2016, with a vote of 71.3% for versus 28.7% against.[6]
References
- ^ HB 843 - Medical Marijuana (PDF), Florida House of Representatives, retrieved 2014-03-20 PDF download. "The term [cannabis] does not include any plant of the genus Cannabis that contains 0.5 percent or less of tetrahydrocannabinol and more than 15 percent of cannabidiol; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; or any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant or its seeds or resin."
- ^ Kennedy, John (20 March 2014), Charlotte's Web marijuana bill advances in House, despite questions, Post on Politics, retrieved 2014-03-20
- ^ Smith, Nancy (20 March 2014), $1 Million for Medical Marijuana Research Sails Through House Appropriations, Sunshine State News, retrieved 2014-03-20
- ^ O'Keefe, Karen. "8 States with Pending Legislation to Legalize Medical Marijuana - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web. February 6, 2014.
- ^ "Medical marijuana: On the ballot in Florida in 2016?". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2016-11-14.
- ^ Florida Amendment 2 — Expand Medical Marijuana — Results: Approved The New York Times, November 9, 2016