Marijuana reform proved to be wildly popular in Florida, where six million people71 percent of votersapproved an initiative allowing for increased access to medical cannabis. Currently, Florida residents can get their hands on low or no-THC oil for epilepsyand if someone is terminally ill, theyre allowed full-strength marijuana.
Thats all supposed to change starting sometime afterJan. 3, when the state is supposed to start setting up a medical-marijuana industry. Emphasis on supposed to,because as the Tampa Bay Times points out, Florida state lawmakers have many other things theyd rather do. Getting rules for cannabis together is simply not a top priority for any of the states three most-powerful elected officials, the according to the newspaper.
Not that that should be shocking. Neither Gov. Rick Scott nor Senate President Rick Scott said anything one way or the other about Amendment 2, which received more support on Election Day than any other marijuana-related ballot measure in the country. As for Richard Corcoran, the speaker of Floridas lower house, he outright opposed it.
These are the same lawmakerswho voted down a sizable expansion of the states existing medical-marijuana program last year. State Sen. Jeff Brandess bill didnt even make it out of committee, a snub which necessitated the voter initiative.
Judging by voter turnout alone, you could make the argument that a reasonable and workable cultivation and distribution system for medical marijuana is something that Floridians care about. The state is famous for its aging population, and cannabis has proven potential as a palliative for all kinds of age-related maladies, from chronic pain to Alzheimers.
Theres still time and no deadlines have come and gone yet, as new laws cant be introduced untilMarch 7, when the legislative session opens, and state health officials arent planning on starting to create regulations untilJan. 3, when Amendment 2 takes effect.
Sill, when newly-elected state lawmakers convened for a ceremonial opening session last month, marijuana wasnt mentioned until reporters started asking questions about it, the newspaper reportedwhich is never a good sign.
As for what the Legislature plans to do?All Id say on that is that were going to honor the will of the voters, were going to protect the Constitution, and were going to protect the peoples state of Florida,said Corcoran, demonstrating a mastery of the art of saying absolutely nothing.
Already, some battle lines are formingas are some potential conflicts. For example, Corcoran is an avowed supporter of free-market public policy, particularly in health care, the newspaper reported. Youd think that would make him a natural ally for a competition-rich marijuana industry with wide and varied access for patients. Or, not: Floridas cannabis industry will be nothing if not tightly-regulated, according to the Times.
Theres also been a demonstrated reluctance on behalf of state health officials to start moving proactively on implementing Amendment 2, which greatly expands the list of health conditions for ...
