Marijuana

Commissioner Nick Maddox says there’s nobody at the Leon County jail who is serving time solely for possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana.

Leon County Commissioners are discussing an ordinance that would make possession of small amounts of marijuana a civil rather than criminal offense under county rules. Supporters say it’s an option to help keep people out of jail for low level crimes. Critics argue the move would have little impact, since under state and federal laws recreational marijuana use is illegal.

In 2017, one medical marijuana license was set aside specifically for a Black farmer and has not yet been given out. This month, the Florida Department of Health put out an emergency rule specifying how Black farmers can apply for that license. Florida Agriculture Commissioner and gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried wants the state to revisit its rule.

A group of Florida lawmakers is hoping there’s still time this session to move legislation forward that would expand marijuana use beyond the state’s current medical-only program. They’re also hoping to stop legislation some worry could shrink the current program.

When Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill it cleared the way for hemp to be grown across the United States. Hemp comes from the cannabis plant which is mostly known for its ability to produce marijuana which remains illegal. The difference between the two is simple: one gets you high, the other doesn’t. However, some store owners have recently started selling a version of hemp that produces a similar effect as marijuana, effectively blurring the lines. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration has attempted to ban the new product, but that’s not deterred business owners who are now exploiting a legal loophole.

CBD and Hemp stores have found a loophole that allows them to sell a product similar to marijuana that induces a high. Marijuana is defined as having .3% or more of delta-9 THC in it. The product being sold in retail stores contains a different THC called delta-8.

A Republican lawmaker wants to change Florida’s medical marijuana system as well as legalize the drug for adults. Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg)…

Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St.Petersburg) wants to legalize marijuana for adult use and also clear simple possession cannabis charges for those convicted across…

Regulate Florida says it won’t make a February 1 signature deadline for a marijuana legalization amendment on the state’s November 2020 ballot.The group…

Facing the possibility that Floridians could be asked next year to legalize recreational marijuana, a House panel on Tuesday turned to Oregon to learn…