Florida Rule Leaves Medical Cannabis Users at Risk

OG article by James Call

A new law shifts Florida's medical cannabis regulation.

• New Florida rule revokes medical cannabis cards for illegal drug possession convictions.

• Over 160 patients have lost or risk losing access.

• Advocates call it punitive, like denying insulin for shoplifting.

More than 160 Florida medical cannabis patients face revocation.

Arrested for drug convictions. Lost access under the new rule.

Bobbie Smith updated the Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee on Oct. 15.

From the Office of Medical Cannabis Use.

OMMU identified 20 for revocation. Tracks 140 more cases.

Rule from SB 2514. Suspends cards on charges. Revokes on conviction or no contest plea.

Reapply is possible with an affidavit. Sentence fulfilled.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed on July 3. DOH implemented fast.

Signals shift in regulation. As advocates push recreational initiative for 2026.

Leon County probes scheme. Possible DeSantis ties. To oppose the 2024 measure. It failed.

Attorney John Morgan sued over the smokable ban.

Pot Daddy opposes.

"DeSantis thinks against medical cannabis is good. He's wrong," Morgan told WESH 2 News.

Morgan financed 2016 initiative. Nicknamed "Pot Daddy." Eyes governor run post-primaries.

Advocates: Revocation denies medicine for crime.

Debate ongoing, says Compassionate Healthcare of Florida.

Treats chronic conditions. Users doubled to 925,000 since 2020. Per DOH update.

Federal law bans use. But Amendment 2 legalized medical in Florida. For qualifying conditions.

Qualifying Conditions:

• Cancer

• Epilepsy

• Glaucoma

• HIV

• PTSD

• ALS

• Crohn's disease

• Parkinson's disease

• Multiple sclerosis

• Similar conditions

OMMU update: 42% PTSD. 29% enumerated disorders. 13% chronic pain.

58% over 35. 35-44 and over-65 each over 20%. 45-54 at 17%.