Legislation that sought to repeal Florida’s unduly restrictive 2014 Compassionate Use Act and replace it with a more expansive medical marijuana law was not heard by lawmakers this legislative session.
Senate bill 852, the “Florida Medical Marijuana Act,” would have permitted patients with either a specified medical condition or a specified symptom to use medical marijuana “as recommended by their physician.” It also would have established a system of marijuana cultivation, processing, and retail facilities and sought to fund state-sponsored cannabis research.
As passed by lawmakers in 2014, the Compassionate Use Act allows only for the use of low THC derived products.Under the law, minors who suffer severe seizures and patients with terminal illnesses are eligible for legal protection. As of yet, however, this law has not provided protection or access to a single Florida patient.
In November 2014, 58 percent of Florida voters approved a ballot measure seeking to amend state law to permit qualified patients to access medical cannabis via a system of state-licensed dispensaries. However, the measure failed to become law because it failed to reach the necessary 60 percent threshold required under Florida law. According to most recent statewide polling, 87 percent of Floridians back legislation similar to the “Florida Medical Marijuana Act.”
NORML would like to thank those of you who contacted their lawmakers in support of this legislation.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
