cannabis

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 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 cannabis company's latest $1.5 million contribution to Smart & Safe Florida provided the political committee a total of $152.27 million in cash and $959,000 in in-kind contributions.

The Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics cites an increase in cases of emergency care among children since medical marijuana was approved in the state in 2016.

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.”

As the campaign to get recreational marijuana in the state constitution goes into its final days, the cannabis company has funded more than $143 million of Smart & Safe Florida's war chest.

Trulieve has largely bankrolled the Smart & Safe Florida political committee, which is leading efforts to pass the proposal, according to the state Division of Elections website.

With recreational pot legal, patients will eventually need to decide if they want to keep their card, which costs $75 a year and requires doctor's visits every seven months costing between $350 and $600 a year.

Amendment 3 could help end an era of discriminatory enforcement, according to some proponents, elected officials and drug experts. How and whether it will is a growing question.

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."