10% Cap on THC
The House Appropriations Committee will be taking HB 7117 up tomorrow Tuesday 4/9 at 10:30 AM for a VOTE. Last Wednesday morning over objections from many lawmakers, the Health and Human Services Committee of the Florida House approved PCB HHS 19-02 from Ray Rodrigues which became HB 7117.
This bill has a lot of VERY BAD issues mixed in with a few good things like a veteran ID card discount FFC has been fighting for and emergency rulemaking. See some of these below and read the full bill as well, but before you do that make sure you CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS below and tell them about all of the negatives in this bill for patients. They are so BAD many veterans went all the way to Tallahassee to speak against this! (Video below) These need to be amended, or they need to NOT pass this bill!! 71% of Florida did not vote for 10%! Patients are just asking that the legislature give them what 71% of Florida voted for, whole cannabis medicine! Call Your Elected Officials!
HB 7117 is Negative for Patients because it would:
-Cap THC Limits to 10% on flower products
-Further limit patients to a 35 day supply
-Add further limitations for 18+ and pediatric patients
-Push back testing regulations further
Here is the bottom line:
-This bill will actually make patients have to smoke more to get the relief they need (The House led the charge against smoking and now will cause more for patients to get the relief they need)
-This bill will basically be a tax on patients (Patients will have to spend and consume more driving them to the black market)
-They want to test to make sure THC isn't too high, is that for just THC, or THC-A & THC-B or anything else?(Do they know there is more then just THC and CBD in this plant? They havent even gotten their testing or research regulations implemented correctly and yet keep adding more)
-Limiting THC will not stop with just edibles and smoked cannabis, they will claim this about other products next if they can find one study to back up their claim (This is AS BAD OR WORSE then their genius idea for a 90 day wait way back)
-This bill needs its negatives amended or this bill must be stopped. 71% Did not vote for 10% limitations and they are asking for lawsuits all while hurting patients AGAIN! Maybe they should amend it to 71%!
You can find the full Bill details here: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sect…/Bills/billsdetail.aspx…
If you can contact your legislators the best way is to do so is below:
Appropriations Committee
Chair
W. Travis Cummings (R)
Travis.Cummings@myfloridahouse.gov
(850) 717-5018
Vice Chair
Dane Eagle (R)
(850) 717-5077
Dane.Eagle@myfloridahouse.gov
Democratic Ranking Member
Kionne L. McGhee (D)
(850) 717-5117
Kionne.McGhee@myfloridahouse.gov
Bryan Avila (R)
(850) 717-5111
Bryan.Avila@myfloridahouse.gov
Cord Byrd (R)
(850) 717-5011
cord.byrd@myfloridahouse.gov
Ben Diamond (D)
(850) 717-5068
Ben.Diamond@myfloridahouse.gov
Bobby DuBose (D)
(850) 717-5094
Bobby.DuBose@myfloridahouse.gov
Nicholas X. Duran (D)
(850) 717-5112
Nicholas.Duran@myfloridahouse.gov
Joe Geller (D)
(850) 717-5100
joseph.geller@myfloridahouse.gov
Kristin Jacobs (D)
(850) 717-5096
Kristin.Jacobs@myfloridahouse.gov
Evan Jenne (D)
(850) 717-5099
Evan.Jenne@myfloridahouse.gov
Mike La Rosa (R)
(850) 717-5042
Mike.LaRosa@myfloridahouse.gov
Chris Latvala (R)
(850) 717-5067
Chris.Latvala@myfloridahouse.gov
Thomas J. ''Tom'' Leek (R)
(850) 717-5025
Tom.Leek@myfloridahouse.gov
MaryLynn Magar (R)
(850) 717-5082
MaryLynn.Magar@myfloridahouse.gov
Ralph Massullo, Jr. (R)
(850) 717-5034
Ralph.Massullo@myfloridahouse.gov
Cary Pigman (R)
(850) 717-5055
Cary.Pigman@myfloridahouse.gov
Scott Plakon (R)
(850) 717-5029
Scott.Plakon@myfloridahouse.gov
Rene Plasencia (R)
(850) 717-5050
Rene.Plasencia@myfloridahouse.gov
Holly Merrill Raschein (R)
(850) 717-5120
Holly.Raschein@myfloridahouse.gov
Paul Renner (R)
(850) 717-5024
Paul.Renner@myfloridahouse.gov
Ray Wesley Rodrigues (R)
(850) 717-5076
Ray.Rodrigues@myfloridahouse.gov
Carlos Guillermo Smith (D)
(850) 717-5049
Carlos.Smith@myfloridahouse.gov
Chris Sprowls (R)
(850) 717-5065
Chris.Sprowls@myfloridahouse.gov
Richard Stark (D)
(850) 717-5104
Richard.Stark@myfloridahouse.gov
Jay Trumbull (R)
(850) 717-5006
Jay.Trumbull@myfloridahouse.gov
Barbara Watson (D)
(850) 717-5107
barbara.watson@myfloridahouse.gov
Jayer Williamson (R)
850) 717-5003
jayer.williamson@myfloridahouse.gov
Clay Yarborough (R)
(850) 717-5012
clay.yarborough@myfloridahouse.gov
Appropriations Committee Hearing: Tuesday 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Webster Hall 212 Knott Click Appear at meeting
Proposed BAN on Miami Beach
Miami Beach officially dropped the ban proposal on March 13 after the public sutnick hour and having received many emails opposing.
Miami Beach dispensary ban
This WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13th, the Miami Beach City Commission is considering a BAN on medical marijuana dispensaries within the city limits.
MIAMI BEACH ELECTED OFFICIALS NEED TO HEAR YOUR VOICE!
Call or email Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber and let him know you oppose the Miami Beach plan to restrict patient access. 80% of Miami Beach voters supported Amendment 2 in 2016, this is NOT what the residents of the City want.
Email Mayor Dan Gelber: DanGelber@miamibeachfl.gov
Commissioners listed below
Call Mayor Dan Gelber: 305-673-7035
Tell the Mayor "This is NOT what we voted for. Miami Beach patients deserve access."
Here are the facts:
- In 2016, 71% of Floridians approved Amendment 2 - legalizing medical marijuana in Florida - and 80% of Miami Beach voters supported Amendment 2 that year.
- Joy Malakoff, an UNELECTED member of the Miami Beach City Commission, has proposed changing the law to BAN medical marijuana dispensaries in Miami Beach.
- Miami Beach ALREADY has one of the most restrictive laws on medical marijuana dispensaries in Florida! Since medical marijuana was legalized in 2016, only a SINGLE dispensary has open on the Beach.
- The City Commission and Mayor will hear Malakoff's proposal this WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13th.- Residents of Miami Beach can speak publicly from 8 am to 9 am at the "Sutnik Hour" for up to three minutes - if you live in Miami Beach, please come and make your voice heard!!!
- IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN MIAMI BEACH: Please come and show support! There are only a handful of dispensaries in Miami-Dade County - a ban in Miami Beach would hurt patient access across South Florida.
Where: Miami Beach City Hall, 1700 Convention Center Drive 3rd Floor, Miami Beach, FL 33139
When: 8AM Wed March 13th
Who to contact with questions: Jessica Landsberg, jessicalandsberg1@gmail.com
We need residents to come Residents can speak for 3 minutes during Sutnick hour, about why this doesn't work and give their suggestions. Some things we have heard are:
"Delivery is not enough, they only deliver once in my area"
"Patients shouldn't have to leave their homes or doctors to travel to the closest dispensary if they are unable to wait"
"Patients may not be able to get delivery at work, home, or be there the 1 day per week most dispensaries deliver and some will not deliver all of their products at all times some are only sold on locations"
"This all costs patients more money and for them to leave Miami Beach, delivery drivers increase traffic, and dont contribute to Miami Beach economy"
"These are not even like CVS or Walgreens as they only carry products they produce, meaning 1-3 is not enough by any means"
Tell your personal story and how these bans will be bad for patients!
Mayor and Commissioner Contact information
Mayor Gelber phone: 3056737035
Mayor Gelber email: DanGelber@miamibeachfl.gov
Commissioner Micky Steinberg phone: 305.673.7103
Commissioner Micky Steinberg email: MickySteinberg@miamibeachfl.gov
Commissioner Mark Samuelian phone: 305.673.7104
Commissioner Mark Samuelian email: MarkSamuelian@miamibeachfl.gov
Commissioner Michael Góngora phone:305.673.7106
Commissioner Michael Góngora email: Michael@miamibeachfl.gov
Commissioner Joy Malakoff phone: 305.673.7125
Commissioner Joy Malakoff email: joymalakoff@miamibeachfl.gov
Commissioner Ricky Arriola phone: 305.673.7107
Commissioner Ricky Arriola email: RickyArriola@miamibeachfl.gov
Commissioner John Elizabeth Alemán phone: 305.673.7102
Commissioner John Elizabeth Alemán email: JohnAleman@miamibeachfl.gov
After vote switch, marijuana smoking bill advances in Senate
The Senate Health Policy Committee on Monday OK’d the bill (SB 182) by Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican, but that was after amending it with language from chair Gayle Harrell, a Stuart Republican and health care consultant, that divided the panel.
The legislation first died on a 5-5 tie vote, was revived on a motion to reconsider, and the affirmative vote by Rouson, a St. Petersburg Democrat, put it over the top. Rouson said he changed his vote to move the bill along and ensure it wasn’t dead for the 2019 Legislative Session, which starts March 5.
Lawmakers poised to let sick Floridians smoke medical marijuana
Florida Pheonix - Lloyd Dunkelberger
The Florida House and Senate are poised to take up smokable pot bills in the first week of the 2019 session.
There are some differences in the bills that will have to be worked out. The House bill (HB 7015) allows adults to use smokable marijuana, but it prohibits the dispensaries from selling other whole-flower products. The House bill also bans children from smoking.
The Senate bill (SB 182) would require marijuana dispensaries to sell at least one type of pre-rolled, filter-less cigarettes and allow them to sell other whole-flower products. It would allow sick children to smoke if approved by a second opinion from a pediatrician.
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who recently appointed the state’s first cannabis director, says she supports the legislation with the “least amount of restrictions.”
Marijuana Won The Midterm Elections
Forbes
By Tom Angell
Tuesday’s election results were a mixed bag for partisans: Democrats regained control of the House, while Republicans extended their Senate majority.
But one clear winner in the midterm elections was marijuana.
Michigan voters approved a ballot measure making their state the first in the midwest to legalize cannabis.
Missouri approved an initiative to allow medical marijuana, as did Utah.
Voters in several Ohio cities approved local marijuana decriminalization measures, and a number of Wisconsin counties and cities strongly approved non-binding ballot questions calling for cannabis reform.
3 More States OK Easing Their Marijuana Laws: Michigan, Utah, Missouri
NPR
Brian Chapell
Voters in Michigan approved a ballot measure to legalize recreational use of marijuana on Tuesday, and two other states — Missouri and Utah — endorsed medical marijuana laws. Voters in North Dakota didn’t partake, rejecting a measure to legalize recreational marijuana use.
There are now 33 U.S. states that have legalized marijuana to some degree, and recreational pot use is now legal in 10 states, along with Washington, D.C. But possessing, selling or using marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
Coming into the Nov. 6 vote, both Michigan and North Dakota already had medical marijuana laws in place. Utah and Missouri didn’t have far-reaching legislation on the books, though Missouri had lightened the potential penalties for first-time offenses.
Carlos Curbelo Calls on Jeff Sessions, DOJ to Get Out of the Way of Medical Marijuana Research
Sunshine State News
By Kevin Derby
U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., is calling on U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to allow more companies to research how Cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can be used for medicinal purposes.
Noting that the federal Drug Enforcement Agency had approved plans for Tilray, a company based out of British Columbia, to import CBD and THC for studies on how to treat nerve pain, Curbelo called on the U.S. Department of Justice to get out of the way of domestic companies trying to do the same thing.