marijuana regulation

Christopher Kimball steps into the post as the state’s medical marijuana industry could be poised to double in size and as challenges pile up over the decision to award a sought-after license to a Black farmer.

The dosing and supply caps came nearly six years after voters approved a constitutional amendment broadly legalizing medical marijuana and more than three years after the Legislature authorized smokable marijuana.

The state Department of Health will accept applications for the single Black farmer license March 21-25, the first opportunity for prospective medical marijuana operators to vie for a license since 2015.

The office that oversees the industry is asking for nearly $13 million as part of its expansion plans. Meantime, the health department rolled out an anticipated emergency rule on the Black farmer license.

Florida’s embattled medical marijuana office continues wading through rulemaking—two years after Florida voters approved the system. But the industry is...