Medical marijuana added to Florida special legislative session

Arek Sarkissian | Naples

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TALLAHASSEE — Legislative leaders agreed Wednesday to add unfinished business on the regulation of medical marijuana to the special session, signaling a major step to conclude discussions that fizzled last month.

Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran agreed to add the issue to the three-day special session scheduled to start Wednesday.

The use of marijuana for medical purposes was approved by 71 percent of Florida voters in 2016. The Senate proposal to regulate use was sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, who planned to file a bill Wednesday.

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“Our constitutional duty is to ensure the availability and safe use of medical marijuana in the manner prescribed by Florida voters,” said Bradley, R-Fleming Island. “This patient-first legislation will expand access to this medicine, while ensuring safety through a unified regulatory structure for each component of the process from cultivation to consumption."

Bradley said the bill would increase the overall number of medical marijuana treatment clinics, and it will offer opportunities for doctors and scientists to research the medicine.

Debate between the House and Senate ended with no agreement at the end to this year’s regular legislative session in May. The House plan allowed for thousands of dispensaries by the time the state hit 300,000 patients. The Senate plan only allowed 283 dispensaries.

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The Senate wanted to limit growers to five dispensaries each. This differed from a House plan to limit one grower to 100 dispensaries.

Another difference supported heavily by Negron, R-Stuart, was charging sales tax on marijuana and tools to administer it, such as vaping pens.

“This legislation demonstrates fidelity to the constitution by implementing the amendment passed by the voters last November,” Negron said.. “The bill will also further the work the Legislature has done over the past few years to pass legislation authorizing the medical use of marijuana and other developing medications for our fellow citizens who are suffering from serious medical conditions and illnesses.”

The House proposed not charging sales tax for two years. At that point, the Legislature would revisit the issue.

On Friday, Gov. Rick Scott called for lawmakers to gather in the Capitol for a three-day special session to settle his rejection of the $11.4 billion education budget and the amount of cash given to VISIT FLORIDA.

Scott joined Negron and Corcoran last week to promote a budget deal that includes vetoes of more than $409 million in special member projects to increase money for the education budget, Visit Florida and create a corporate incentive fund.

The plan, to be considered by lawmakers in this special session, would give the education budget a $215 million boost and provides $76 million to Visit Florida. It also would create an $85 million pot of money that Scott could use to pay for public infrastructure projects and job training that could entice businesses to grow or expand in the state.

However, Negron said Tuesday he had a new plan, raising questions about the deal announced last week. Negron wants to use revenue set aside to help homeowners avoid a property tax increase, a move Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes, has fought.

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