TALLAHASSEE — Prospective pot-seeking patients and state health officials are clashing over proposed rules that dictate who has access to marijuana. This comes only three months after Florida voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment on medical cannabis.
There has been a wave of opposition across the state after state officials recommended restrictions to determine the type of patients eligible for medical cannabis and where they can access it. Around 1,300 residents have been attending what are normally low-key bureaucratic hearings to press for less restricted access to pot.
“Patients, doctors, caregivers and activists all had a unified message which is rare. They want impediments removed and a free market place,” said Ben Pollara, who is the campaign manager for United for Care.
Activists want to get rid of a requirement that states that a patient must be under a prescribing physician’s care for at least 90 days. They also want to stop conditions enumerated in the amendment or by the Board of Medicine since they believe it should be up to doctors to determine when medical cannabis is necessary.
Last November, 71 percent of voters approved Amendment 2; it was enacted on Jan. 3. It allows higher-strength marijuana to be used for a wider list of medical ailments than what was currently allowed in state law. The amendment requires the state to adopt the rules by July 3 and have them in place by September.
As it stands, the law — which was approved by the state legislature in 2014 — allows for non-smoked, low-THC pot for patients with cancer or ailments that cause severe spasms or chronic seizures. It was expanded last March to allow patients with terminal conditions to gain access to higher strength cannabis.
The Florida Legislature will also get a chance to weigh in. There are two bills in the Senate with the House of Representatives expected to release its version before session opens on March 7.
