Florida medical marijuana plan expanded to 20 growers
TALLAHASSEE -- Patients who have been given a year to live could soon be allowed to use marijuana to ease their pain.
A Florida House panel Tuesday OK'd legislation to expand an existing, small medical marijuana program and a law allowing terminal patients to try experimental drugs. Now, with approval from two doctors, a patient can buy marijuana from a licensed grower in the state.
"Cannabis should be the first option for patients, rather than the last resort," said state Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, speaking on behalf of Cathy Jordan, a Parrish resident who has suffered for 29 years from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. "No one should have to go through what I did to get their medication."
Jordan, president of the Florida Cannabis Action Network, has a letter from the State Attorney's Office in Manatee County that allows her to grow marijuana that has been prescribed to her.
Before approving House Bill 307 by a 9-4 vote, the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee tacked on new language t0 quadruple the number of licensed marijuana growers in the state from five to 20.
The Florida Department of Health is expected to announce five licensed growers for cannabis that is low in high-inducing THC in the coming weeks. Encouraged by a group of black farmers that met with the Florida Legislative Black Caucus early this month, state Rep. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, pushed the amendment, which eliminates strict requirements for potential growers.
Howard Gunn Jr., president of the Florida Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association, has said the five-nursery limit and requirement nurseries be in business for at least 30 years before being licensed by the Department of Health has "systematically excluded the black farmer."
"I believe if we don't remove these barriers to entry, we are creating a monopoly for five dispensing organizations," Bracy said Tuesday. "I believe it creates a competitive disadvantage, and I believe it negates free-market principles."
Lawmakers passed the amendment after sponsoring state Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, gave a thumbs-up, apparently encouraging a group of committee members to vote yes.
Still, despite bipartisan support, some members already started to raise questions about the larger number of nurseries that would be allowed to grow marijuana if the bill passes.
"We've got a train wreck here," said state Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, who voted against the bill. "We've got confusion. Here's an amendment that turned it upside down at the last minute."
A similar proposal will be considered in the Senate Health Policy Committee.
This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 6:32 PM with the headline "Florida medical marijuana plan expanded to 20 growers ."