{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/florida/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2359-markdown","title":"Florida Tries to Block Access to Medical Marijuana","slug":"florida-tries-to-block-access-to-medical-marijuana","content":"### Florida: What’s Happened to Date\n\nIn November, 71% of Florida residents voted in favor of a constitutional amendment that approved the use of medical marijuana. Though the state had previously approved a medical marijuana law, state legislators have attempted to greatly limit who can access cannabis and what products may be produced in the state. \n\nUnder the previous medical marijuana law, seven companies held a monopoly for growing and marijuana production within the state, which led to extremely high prices. The amendment itself has limited instructions on how the  medical marijuana system should be implemented, so it required the state legislature to draft bills in order to outline the regulations that would apply to cannabis in the state. Six bills have been currently put forth in the legislature that range from strict to relaxed regulation. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Unnecessary Hurdles for Patients\n\nMany people are concerned, however, about high prices, unnecessary hurdles for patients to access medication, and fewer options in choices of medical cannabis products. The new medical industry, which is suppose to be up and running by September, was originally implemented in January. The amendment allowed for nine months for the rules to be decided on and established and to register new growers and patients before formally beginning. \n\nRELATED: [CANADIAN GOVERNMENT TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/58fe831e690a060c79371af4/canada-to-legalize-recreational-cannabis)\n\nThe Florida legislature conducted a large amount of debates and bill revisions to reflect what they believe should be apart of the new medical infrastructure. Though many people in the legislature argue that they are limiting access to medical marijuana in an attempt to prevent issues similar to the opioid epidemic, they are actually making the situation potentially worse by limiting access to a medication that could reduce the amount of necessary opioids for people in the state. \n\n### Government Creating Roadblocks\n\nLawmakers are also worried about the wrong people getting their hands on cannabis and have proposed a long list of roadblocks that could get in peoples way of accessing a viable medication. The possible restrictions include requiring a 90-day relationship with a doctor before they could recommend cannabis and not allowing administration methods like vaporizing and edibles. \n\nDifferent proposals also run the gambit on the amount of growers and distributers who could be issued licenses, ranging from twelve, which would only be five more than the current number allowed, to twenty. Even if the highest proposed number was approved, there are still concerns about monopolies in such a large state with a potentially very large market. \n\n### Lobbyists: A Big Problem\n\nMuch of the proposed legislation that puts very strict restrictions on medical marijuana availability comes from the lobbying arm of Drug Free America. Drug Free America, which is based in St. Petersburg, spent $1 million in the attempt to trounce the proposed amendment and, after their own defeat, they have now turned their efforts to restricting what is allowed under the amendment. Many of the strict proposals also come from problems with misinformation about cannabis and what it can do to help many people. Cannabis has an incredible ability to help people with a variety of medical conditions and greatly improve their quality of life. \n\nAfter a tumultuous period of debate, however, there may be hope for patients in Florida desiring to access medical marijuana. The legislative session for Florida ends on this coming Friday and last Friday House Bill 1397, which is about regulating the cannabis industry, was modified to be less strict. On the current bill there will be no 90-day doctor requirement or a ban of vaporizers and edibles. \n\n### Patient Testimony Matters\n\nThe changes to the bill, which also eased requirements on recertification from every three months to once a year, were made after the legislature heard patient testimony. Though there is still a continued division on how medical marijuana producers are to become certified dispensing organizations, the changes that have been made to the bill show great promise and finally, a response based on the needs of patients. The legislature could vote on the bill as early as Tuesday and, if passed, the bill could greatly improve the quality of life of many people. \n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/1bf35635bb63b45abe1162c99c78312e/14b42/f448bcd2320d155fa3eca7c8bebf6419.jpg","srcSet":"/static/1bf35635bb63b45abe1162c99c78312e/f836f/f448bcd2320d155fa3eca7c8bebf6419.jpg 200w,\n/static/1bf35635bb63b45abe1162c99c78312e/2244e/f448bcd2320d155fa3eca7c8bebf6419.jpg 400w,\n/static/1bf35635bb63b45abe1162c99c78312e/14b42/f448bcd2320d155fa3eca7c8bebf6419.jpg 800w,\n/static/1bf35635bb63b45abe1162c99c78312e/47498/f448bcd2320d155fa3eca7c8bebf6419.jpg 1200w,\n/static/1bf35635bb63b45abe1162c99c78312e/54ac5/f448bcd2320d155fa3eca7c8bebf6419.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/1bf35635bb63b45abe1162c99c78312e/58556/f448bcd2320d155fa3eca7c8bebf6419.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1bf35635bb63b45abe1162c99c78312e/61e93/f448bcd2320d155fa3eca7c8bebf6419.webp 200w,\n/static/1bf35635bb63b45abe1162c99c78312e/1f5c5/f448bcd2320d155fa3eca7c8bebf6419.webp 400w,\n/static/1bf35635bb63b45abe1162c99c78312e/58556/f448bcd2320d155fa3eca7c8bebf6419.webp 800w,\n/static/1bf35635bb63b45abe1162c99c78312e/99238/f448bcd2320d155fa3eca7c8bebf6419.webp 1200w,\n/static/1bf35635bb63b45abe1162c99c78312e/5e0b8/f448bcd2320d155fa3eca7c8bebf6419.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2239-markdown","title":"Florida Approves Medical Marijuana","slug":"florida-approves-medical-marijuana","content":"### Amendment 2 Passes in Florida\n\nThis past November Florida voters overwhelmingly approved Amendment 2 which legalizes medical marijuana. The state had previously rejected a similar amendment in 2014, though there currently is existing limited medical marijuana availability in the state. Previous to the most recent Amendment 2, only terminally ill patients were allowed to access THC containing marijuana to help aid with their symptoms. \n\nUnder the recently passed ballot measure, people with a variety of terminal and non-terminal medical conditions will be able to access marijuana as medicine. A variety of medical conditions have been approved for medical marijuana use in the state including: cancer, HIV/Aids, MS, Epilepsy, Glaucoma, PTSD, ALS, Crohn’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, or any other comparable medical condition. The ability for doctors to prescribe medical marijuana to any patients they deem to have comparable conditions to those listed above greatly opens up the population of people who will be able to access and benefit from medical marijuana. \n\nRELATED: [MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION VICTORIES SWEEP ACROSS THE US](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/582b8899821758000c751310/marijuana-legalization-victories-sweep-across-the-us)\n\n### Medical Marijuana Eligibility\n\nIt is estimated that 400,000 - 500,000 people could be eligible for medical marijuana in the state under the new requirements, providing many more people with a medication that could truly help  to relieve their symptoms. Florida provides an interesting dichotomy to traditionally pro-marijuana states because 36.9% of the population of Florida is over 50, an age group that only supports full marijuana legalization at a rate of 35%. Across all age groups, however, there is an 89% approval for medical marijuana, so it can be inferred that more of the over 50 population supports medical marijuana than full scale legalization. Medical marijuana legalization in Florida, however, passed in a landslide of 71%, meaning that it required at least some support from all age groups to be able to pass. Florida is also just one of multiple red states in the recent election that chose to support marijuana legalization in some capacity. \n\n### Framework for Medical Marijuana\n\nFlorida still has a way to go before full scale implementation of its medical marijuana bill is able to take place. The Florida legislature plans to meet in March to begin to discuss the framework of medical marijuana use in the state. Their goal is to complete and pass a law by June, which would allow patients to acquire cards as early as September of 2017. \n\nBetween June and September, infrastructure for medical marijuana in the state will be able to expand and set up. Currently the state has only six marijuana dispensaries, which serve the limited number of people who currently have access to cannabis. Other important factors need to be sorted out, like the relation between medical marijuana patients and their employers. \n\nUnder the recently passed amendment, employers have absolutely no requirements to allow patients with medical marijuana cards to consume cannabis so employers are allowed to maintain zero tolerance policies if they desire without facing backlash for discrimination. Florida’s medical marijuana program has a long way to go, but it bodes well for people in the state to be able to access medication to help ease their suffering. \n\n_____________________________________________________________________\n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/86cf796d3b5a5b0fa0d94a3f56063cec/14b42/8a1a506446e5e5b184cc240612fd6e03.jpg","srcSet":"/static/86cf796d3b5a5b0fa0d94a3f56063cec/f836f/8a1a506446e5e5b184cc240612fd6e03.jpg 200w,\n/static/86cf796d3b5a5b0fa0d94a3f56063cec/2244e/8a1a506446e5e5b184cc240612fd6e03.jpg 400w,\n/static/86cf796d3b5a5b0fa0d94a3f56063cec/14b42/8a1a506446e5e5b184cc240612fd6e03.jpg 800w,\n/static/86cf796d3b5a5b0fa0d94a3f56063cec/47498/8a1a506446e5e5b184cc240612fd6e03.jpg 1200w,\n/static/86cf796d3b5a5b0fa0d94a3f56063cec/54ac5/8a1a506446e5e5b184cc240612fd6e03.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/86cf796d3b5a5b0fa0d94a3f56063cec/58556/8a1a506446e5e5b184cc240612fd6e03.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/86cf796d3b5a5b0fa0d94a3f56063cec/61e93/8a1a506446e5e5b184cc240612fd6e03.webp 200w,\n/static/86cf796d3b5a5b0fa0d94a3f56063cec/1f5c5/8a1a506446e5e5b184cc240612fd6e03.webp 400w,\n/static/86cf796d3b5a5b0fa0d94a3f56063cec/58556/8a1a506446e5e5b184cc240612fd6e03.webp 800w,\n/static/86cf796d3b5a5b0fa0d94a3f56063cec/99238/8a1a506446e5e5b184cc240612fd6e03.webp 1200w,\n/static/86cf796d3b5a5b0fa0d94a3f56063cec/5e0b8/8a1a506446e5e5b184cc240612fd6e03.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5258,"name":"Florida","slug":"florida","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}