“Over 70% of Florida voters approved medical marijuana in 2016 and today I signed SB182 "Medical Use of Marijuana" into law,” tweeted DeSantis. “I thank my colleagues in the Legislature for working with me to ensure the will of the voters is upheld.”
Over 70% of Florida voters approved medical marijuana in 2016 and today I signed SB182 "Medical Use of Marijuana" into law. I thank my colleagues in the Legislature for working with me to ensure the will of the voters is upheld.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 18, 2019
Last week the bill, which redefines the term "medical use" to now include possession, use, or administration of marijuana in the form of smoking, passed in the House 101-11, and passed in the Senate, 34-4. DeSantis previously said he would sign the legislation if it came across his desk.
Despite Florida voter's overwhelming approval of medical marijuana in 2016, former Gov. Rick Scot signed a bill banning all smokable forms of the plant.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried commented on today's bill, calling it a "landmark victory for patients."
“Today is a landmark victory for patients across Florida and for our democracy. It’s a triumph owed to the relentless advocacy of Floridians who refused to be silenced. Our state must not disregard the voice of its people – when the people’s will is nullified by those with authority, liberty cannot survive. Patients should be able to access medicine in the form their doctor determines best for them. Whether it’s smoking medical marijuana or other delivery mechanisms, treatment decisions should be made by physicians, not politicians.”
This is a developing story and we’ll update it when more information is available.
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This article appears in Mar 14-21, 2019.