Hemp and marijuana come from the same kind of plant, and law enforcement officers often struggle to tell them apart. There’s no quick field test to differentiate the euphoric drug from its non-euphoric sister. In some communities that’s meant pressing pause on marijuana prosecutions. But Regan McCarthy reports it has also left big questions in prisons where marijuana is banned, but hemp is not.
A bill aimed at enforcing a new federal law requiring a person to be 21 years old to purchase tobacco products including vaporizers is gaining steam in the senate. But proponents of vaping say proposed state penalties for violators aren’t harsh enough to be effective. Blaise Gainey has the details.
Dignity Florida is backing bills aimed to change how pregnant incarcerated women are treated. The push comes after a woman gave birth alone in a jail cell. Robbie Gaffney reports.
Miami Republican Senator Anitere Flores wants to change what she sees as an overly political and broken claims bill process. These bills are how people who’ve sued the state or local governments get the money they’re owed. Right now, the state caps how much money it pays out. Lynn Hatter has more.
The impeachment of President Donald Trump has cast a spotlight on Orlando Congresswoman Val Demings. As the impeachment trial gets underway, WMFE’s Matthew Peddie says a life in law enforcement has been pivotal in the life of the 62 year old Democrat.