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Amendment 2

Carlos Guillermo Smith, Amy Mercado say special session needed to end cannabis legal limbo

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Saying that the current limbo of law is bad for doctors and patients, Democratic state Reps. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Amy Mercado pleaded with Gov. Rick Scott and Florida Legislature leaders to call a special session to deal with medical marijuana. “We are here because 71 percent of Florida voters approved the constitutional right to medical cannabis. But we also are here because unfortunately once again Tallahassee politicians have thwarted the will of the people and they have refused to…

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Samantha Pollara: In defense of my big brother Ben Pollara

in 2017/Top Headlines by

For the last five years, my big brother, Ben Pollara, has fought to bring medical marijuana treatment to suffering citizens in the state of Florida. He acted as campaign manager for United for Care, which was the chief facilitator of Amendment 2’s passage November, and has since worked tirelessly to craft and pass fair legislation to enact it. His goal was a feasible plan for implementation that not only best represented the interests of sick patients, but also protected and…

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New wrinkles in Florida’s medical marijuana implementation raise doubts, concerns

in Peter/Top Headlines by

I’ve not been shy about expressing my concerns about the implementation of Amendment 2, many of which stem from the fact that I’m the father of a young daughter. From that perspective, it’s imperative to me that Florida exercises necessary prudence and caution while putting in place the mandate from voters on medical marijuana. I’m not ashamed to say: “Surely, not in my backyard!” Call me NIMBY. Call me old fashioned. Just don’t call me Shirley. The existing seven licenses…

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Is the Senate on the right path on medical marijuana?

in Peter/Top Headlines by

The Senate, with the revised version of SB 406, appears to be on what is a fairly balanced means of implementing Amendment 2. Is that my opinion?  Maybe. But, as of yesterday, even the intrepid Ben Pollara sent an email saying (and I quote), “The Senate bill puts Patients First…” while most parties in attendance at the recent committee hearing waived in support. Not all, but most. That’s a far cry from where this was a few short weeks ago.…

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Senate medical marijuana bill keeps industry restricted to seven

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

A new bill introduced Monday to enact Florida’s medical marijuana program is being sharply criticized by promoters of Amendment 2 for keeping the budding business restricted to the state’s current seven approved producers. Senate Bill 1758, introduced by state Sen. Denise Grimsley, the Republican from Lake Wales, lays out how Florida should manage and regulate medical marijuana from growing the plants to which doctors can recommend it to deciding which patients are eligible, to how the products are produced, packaged…

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With push to legalize marijuana, teens get false impression on pot safety

in Peter/Top Headlines by

A push to decriminalize marijuana could prove a slippery slope, by giving kids the false impression on the safety of a drug increasingly legal nationwide. Some believe a similar problem could happen in Florida, especially after voters passed Amendment 2, which began the process of legalizing medical marijuana throughout the Sunshine State. A new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics found as more states legalize the drug for adult use, a greater number of teenagers think it is safe.…

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Florida officials, voters clash over medical marijuana rules

in Statewide/Top Headlines by

Three months after Florida voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment on medical marijuana, state health officials and prospective pot-seeking patients are at odds over proposed rules that would spell out who could get marijuana. State officials have recommended restrictions on what type of patients can qualify for medical marijuana, and where they can obtain it. Their suggestions, however, have prompted a wave of opposition across the state, with nearly 1,300 residents attending what are normally low-key bureaucratic hearings to press…

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