On March 18, 2021, a Florida bill attempting to cap THC potency levels in medical marijuana at 10% passed through its second sub-committee. So what happens next?
CannaMD just returned from meeting with legislators and other leading physician groups in Tallahassee to discuss this very issue – and fortunately, we have plenty of insight and good news to share!
Read on to learn what happens next, who voted “no,” and what YOU can do to help protect the rights of Florida medical marijuana patients!
Update: March 30, 2021
On Monday, March 29, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis made his position clear on Florida’s attempt to cap THC levels, stating:
I have not endorsed that. That is not something I’m pushing. I’ve talked with [House Speaker] Chris [Sprowls] about it and it’s not something I’m endorsing.
Speaking during a media availability with CFO Jimmy Patroni and legislative leaders, DeSantis also noted:
If you look at some of the stuff that’s now coming down, there’s a lot of really bad things in it. It’s not necessarily what you would’ve had 30 years ago when someone’s in college and they’re doing something. You have some really, really bad stuff in there, so I think having the ability to identify that, I think, that’s safety, and quite frankly when you get into some of that stuff, it’s not medicinal at that point for sure.
However, as Florida Politics reports:
Concerns notwithstanding, that may end the issue for the foreseeable future.
Although H.B. 1455 is currently waiting its third and final committee hearing in the House, the bill has stalled in the Senate. Florida Politics explains:
Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Jeff Brandes says THC caps are a non-starter, and he has not scheduled the bill for a hearing.
Background: What is H.B. 1455?
Florida House Bill 1455 is a piece of proposed legislation that seeks, among other things, to limit THC potency levels in medical marijuana and restrict physician advertising. To read the full bill, please see: H.B. 1455 (Full Text).
As one of Florida’s largest networks of medical marijuana physicians, and a trusted source of educational cannabis research, CannaMD strongly opposes H.B. 1455 and has drafted an opposition memo in response. To read detailed arguments against the bill (including a critique of the study being used to justify the 10% restriction), click the button below!
Who Voted No?
While H.B. 1455 passed through its first sub-committee with a clean break between Republicans (no) and Democrats (yes), this second sub-committee vote – which also passed – shows that progress has been made. Republican Representative Dana Trabulsy was counted among the “no” votes and, on behalf of medical marijuana advocates everywhere, CannaMD would like to publicly say THANK YOU to Rep. Trabulsy!
We’d also like to encourage all of our readers to take a quick moment to send a note of thanks to the following representatives who voted no:
- Rep. Dana Trabulsy: [email protected]
- Rep. Kamia Brown: [email protected]
- Rep. Fentrice Driskell: [email protected]
- Rep. Nicholas Duran: [email protected]
- Rep. Kelly Skidmore: [email protected]
- Rep. Carlos Guillermo-Smith: [email protected]
CannaMD had the honor of meeting with some of the representatives who voted “no” this go around, and we’re inspired by their courage and commitment to entertaining evidence-based arguments surrounding this issue!
What happens next?
H.B. 1455 has one more sub-committee to pass through before it hits the House floor. If it passes those two hurdles, legislation then progresses to the Senate.
So what can you do to help?
A LOT!
If our meetings this past week taught us anything, it’s that patient and constituency feedback matters!
Those emails you’re sending? Representatives are reading them!
Looking to make more of an impact? Share stories about your personal experience(s) and voice specific concerns. Representatives genuinely want to hear how you feel, and they’re particularly impacted by real patient stories!
To find your local representative’s email and contact information, click the button below:
What can you do?
