Florida’s plans allowing certain patients to use low-THC marijuana are in limbo after a recent court ruling. An administrative judge threw out many of the Department of Health’s proposed rules Friday.
Florida’s so-called Charlotte’s Web law directs the Department to have a distribution framework in place by January 1 next year. But Florida Medical Cannabis Association Lobbyist Ron Watson says after Friday’s ruling, the chances of meeting that deadline are increasingly slim.
“Getting to January 1 by actually either having the rules in place, and/or certainly choosing someone by then is going to be very difficult at best,” Watson says. “There is a possibility that it could happen, but I think it’s—that’s a lot of work for the Department of Health to now have go back and re-craft a lot of what the judge said is not allowable.”
When asked for comment Monday, the Department of Health reiterated the statement it issued last week, which says the it will move expeditiously to meet the needs of patients. It’s unclear if the Department plans to appeal the ruling or revise its proposed rules.
