The New Law

In Florida the battle for medical marijuana has been a long time coming. In 2014 the governor signed into the law the first version of it, and now voters are ready to amend it. The 2014 measure and the 2016 measure were both designed to legalize medical marijuana, but there are some differences between the two proposals. The new 2016 measure clarifies medical marijuana requirements for parental consent for the use of medical marijuana by minors and also further defines what is meant by “debilitating” illnesses that would qualify for marijuana as a treatment option. The 2016 measure also addresses concerns many regarding caregivers by making it clear that doctors would not be immune from malpractice claims for negligent prescribing of marijuana and by limiting how many patients a caregiver can treat with marijuana.

Although the old restrictions for qualifying conditions were close to being almost impossible to pass, the new ones will widen the pool of approvals. The exact language for getting approved for medical marijuana as a treatment for patients has extending to the following qualifying parameters:

• Cancer

• Epilepsy

• Glaucoma

• Hiv

• Aids

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd)

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Als)

• Crohn’s Disease

• Parkinson’s Disease

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated.

Opposition

Many voters and citizens have expressed concern over the number of marijuana shops that could appear with the passage of Amendment 2. Much Talk has developed on the ground, and some speculators have provided estimates indicating that based on Florida’s patient needs, the state would need 1,993 marijuana treatment centers. That’s right, almost 2000 dispensaries! That number would actually outnumber the amount of Walmart’s (191) and Walgreens (840) stores combined throughout the state.

Support

Under the new amended passionate act medical marijuana would be more available to patients who need the medicine. Eventually not only will it bolster change in the industry, but it will also generate revenue for the state and decrease the impact of the black market. One group that is moving to help out the market in Florida is OnePath Medical, who offers a “Medical Marijuana Ecosystem” for patients, doctors, and dispensaries to seamlessly share information which makes the process easier. Florida has the potential to be a great booming state for medical marijuana, or another free-floating program state in which regulators may have a hard time adjusting. November seems to prove to be a big month not only for the nation, but for Florida as well. Hopefully we hear good news!