Thread by @JimRosicaFL

House Approps Cmte gavels in to consider the chamber's version of #MedicalMarijuana smoking legislation for 2019. #FlaPol

.@isayray presents the bill, which has a 33-page strike-all amendment. #FlaPol

@isayray The usual suspects who support and oppose MMJ smoking are in attendance. #FlaPol

Highlights of the strike-all:
— Deletes requirement that prerolled cigarettes have a filter.
— Does not limit private prop owner to restrict MMJ smoking.
— Allows MMJ to be smoked in a nursing home.
— Allows BOG to name University to house the research center.
#FlaPol

With no debate or objection, the strike-all is adopted. We are now on the House MMJ smoking bill as amended. Going into public comment. #FlaPol

Here are the fiscals:

MMJ advocate Jodi James reminds committee her constituency was using MMJ before the state const'n made it legal. "There's very much a need to safeguard...the cannabis naïve," he says. #FlaPol

James notes the money in the House bill for research is recurring (meaning it repeats year to year). #FlaPol

Barney Bishop says he's in rare agreement with both Jodi James and Brian Pitts — but doesn't waive in support. Repeats his concern over minors being able to smoke MMJ. #FlaPol

Bishop says kids should "take a shot" rather than smoke pot. #FlaPol

Gary Stein of Clarity PAC, a former CDC & @HealthyFla employee, tells committee cannabis treats HIV infection, epilepsy, asthma, host of other illnesses. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla Stein says he didn't realize till later in life how the stuff he was getting high on in college was actually medicine. #FlaPol

"What we need is the whole plant," Stein adds, mentioning the "entourage effect" and need for access to whole flower "and as much as patient needs." #FlaPol

"This not a facade for recreational," Stein says, "The focus should be on the patient."
#FlaPol

Card costs are also brought up, that is, cost to get a MMJ patient card, esp. for veterans, lower income patients. #FlaPol

In debate, @CarlosGSmith also brings up issues of cost and affordability, access to whole flower, says if this language was in original implementing bill, he says he might have voted for it then. #FlaPol

@CarlosGSmith "Let's put this issue behind us," Smith says. He is voting for the bill as amended.
Rep. @RalphMassullo - a doctor - agrees, but adds we really "don't know what we're doing" bc it's still illegal federally, not enough research on MMJ smoking.
#FlaPol

@CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo Btw: Smith is a D; Massullo is an R. #FlaPol

.@isayray says "this is not the final position ... we're still not lined up" with the @FLSenate - "we're under a tight deadline, we need to get something to Gov's desk" really sooner. #FlaPol

@isayray @FLSenate Bill is approved with one no vote from Clay Yarborough. We're adjourned. #FlaPol

@threadreaderapp unroll

@isayray @FLSenate Sen. @Rob_Bradley says the Senate's #medicalmarijuana bill was "not received" and therefore it will "not be considered" by the @FLSenate Appropriations Committee.
#FlaPol