Dara Kam - News Service of Florida

Acquiring a medical marijuana license, setting up facilities and securing dispensary locations costs tens of millions of dollars. Meanwhile, hemp retailers can set up shop faster, easier and cheaper.

The revamped proposal from the Smart & Safe Florida committee seeks to address issues raised by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who led a drive to defeat last year’s constitutional measure.

State regulators didn’t do anything wrong when they rejected Green Thumb Industries' requests to open dispensaries near or adjacent to convenience stores, an administrative law judge ruled.

The health department sent "letters of intent" to the group, but the move sets up what could be lengthy litigation from applicants that missed out on a rare chance to join the state's medical pot industry.

The plaintiffs are challenging restrictions on Medicaid coverage for hormone therapy and puberty blockers. The lawsuit claims the ban violates federal laws and the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause.

The ballot measure's defeat could strengthen the industry as it struggles to compete with hemp-based products sold at gas stations, CBD shops and online at a fraction of the cost.

The measure would have allowed adulta to possess about 3 ounces of pot, and it would have allowed businesses already growing and selling medical marijuana to sell it to them.

In the past, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers has tempered her public criticism of Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration, which regulates her business. But she called DeSantis' critiques on Amendment 3 “hogwash.”

Attorneys for the administration filed a document accusing the coalition sponsoring Amendment 4 of “intentionally spreading false factual information” about the state's six-week abortion law.

Trulieve has donated nearly $100 million to support Amendment 3. The state's Republican chair says the lawsuit is a result of the ads "working" and being "truthful."