Florida’s Top Marijuana Regulator Resigns

OG Article By Anthony Martinelli in News Watch Today's LIVE Episode on X, and Rumble

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Augest 7, 2025

Christopher Kimball has stepped down as director of Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), a position he held for nearly three years.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Kimball left the role in July and is now serving as deputy general counsel in the office of Governor Ron DeSantis. Bobbie Smith, a longtime official with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, has taken over as OMMU director.

Smith spent more than 17 years at the agency, focusing primarily on legislative affairs.Florida’s medical marijuana program remains one of the largest in the nation. As of August 6, there were over 920,582 registered patients.

Kimball’s departure comes at a pivotal time. The state is preparing to defend its decision to award 22 new medical marijuana licenses, announced in November 2024.

More than 20 vendors denied licenses have filed legal challenges with the state Division of Administrative Hearings, leading to a consolidated, three-month hearing set to begin in October.

Attorney Paula Savchenko said this week that due to the scope and complexity of the legal proceedings, it could be another year before the state issues any new licenses.