cannabis

An administrative law judge found the $1.33 million renewal fee for medical marijuana companies to do business in Florida reflects the “plain language” of the Legislature's intent.

Sanctuary Cannabis, one of 24 medical marijuana operators in the state, filed a challenge arguing that the health department's $1.33 million biennial fee is “wholly without logic or reason.”

The National Cancer Institute award will fund a five-year study that will include 300 medical cannabis users and 300 non-medical users. Researchers hope to learn who would benefit most from cannabis.

The Florida Division of Elections had received more than 420,000 valid signatures from the PAC Smart & Safe Florida, about half of the what is needed to get a state constitutional amendment on the 2024 ballot.

Commissioners voted to enact an ordinance that would ban the establishment or location of medical marijuana dispensing facilities in unincorporated parts of the county.

An administrative law judge rules that the Pigford license earmarked for Moton Hopkins should not go to his heirs and partners because they are not members of a "recognized class."

The anticipated move could double the size of the state's medical cannabis industry. The health department also made it more expensive for marijuana operators to renew their licenses every two years.

In 2021, cannabis sales increased to $30 billion, 40% higher than the previous year. The United States is expected to make up 75% of global cannabis sales in 2026.

The proceedings against Dr. Joseph Dorn, who was one of the first Florida doctors eligible to order medical marijuana for patients, have been closely watched in the state’s medical cannabis community.

State health officials deemed the application submitted by Moton Hopkins and Hatchett Creek Farms, of which he owned 51 percent, to be the cream of the crop, but after he died decided to award the license to someone else.