Thread by @JimRosicaFL

The @FLSenate now is debating and will vote on its amended bill to allow the smoking of #MedicalMarijuana as requested by @GovRonDeSantis
#FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis Sen. @Rob_Bradley says it's time to move the MMJ smoking debate from Tallahassee to doctors' offices around the state. #FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley "It's in your hands now," Bradley says. "It's medicine – treat it as such" and act in "your patient's best interests...Take seriously your oath to do no harm." #FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley Sen. Gayle Harrell calls on state's medical boards to watchdog docs very closely who order MMJ for patients and to then "evaluate outcomes...we need a detailed, analytical look...many more steps need to be taken." #FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley Sen. @JoseJavierJJR suggests bill doesn't follow const'l amendment bc limits minors who can smoke MMJ only to those who have terminal conditions, not just "debilitating" condition. #FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley @JoseJavierJJR Sen. @FarmerForFLSen says he doesn't want to sound like "budget suck-up language" but praises Bradley's remarks; @Rob_Bradley is @FLSenate Approps. Chair. #FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley @JoseJavierJJR @FarmerForFLSen Sen. @dennisbaxley says his concern - he's NEVER voted for a MMJ bill, btw - is protecting children.
He says he WILL vote for this bill.
"You've protected the children...and I support the bill." #FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley @JoseJavierJJR @FarmerForFLSen @dennisbaxley But Sen. @KeithPerryFL says he will vote NO on the bill, explaining he "can't imagine this body" OK'ing MMJ smoking bc that's the way it was used as an illegal substance. Says it will hurt AIDS patients, for ex. "Makes no sense at all." #FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley @JoseJavierJJR @FarmerForFLSen @dennisbaxley @KeithPerryFL "Hallelujah," says @SenJanetCruz about the bill. Recalls a public forum in Tampa years ago and was "shocked" how many people supported MMJ way back b4 amendment passed in 2016. #FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley @JoseJavierJJR @FarmerForFLSen @dennisbaxley @KeithPerryFL @SenJanetCruz .@SenJanetCruz then responds to @KeithPerryFL about his smoking concerns, saying "who cares?" It's their choice, she adds. Let them and their dr. decide. #FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley @JoseJavierJJR @FarmerForFLSen @dennisbaxley @KeithPerryFL @SenJanetCruz Sen. @TomLeeFL gets all foreboding about MMJ bill: "We're not done here. We're not even close to done...we need to be mighty careful what we do here...we have another bill coming" on licensing issue.
#FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley @JoseJavierJJR @FarmerForFLSen @dennisbaxley @KeithPerryFL @SenJanetCruz @TomLeeFL Sen. @kellistargel says her personal opinion doesn't matter but still says she does not even believe marijuana is medicine; rather, she says, "it's a gateway drug." But she says "responsible" thing "is to vote for the bill." #FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley @JoseJavierJJR @FarmerForFLSen @dennisbaxley @KeithPerryFL @SenJanetCruz @TomLeeFL @kellistargel In closing, @JeffreyBrandes mentions ALS patient Cathy Jordan who has smoked illegally after diagnosis, was told she had 5 years, has lived decades, attributes longevity to smoking MJ. #FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley @JoseJavierJJR @FarmerForFLSen @dennisbaxley @KeithPerryFL @SenJanetCruz @TomLeeFL @kellistargel @JeffreyBrandes The bill passes the @FLSenate on a vote of 34-4. It now goes to the House. #FlaPol

@FLSenate @GovRonDeSantis @Rob_Bradley @JoseJavierJJR @FarmerForFLSen @dennisbaxley @KeithPerryFL @SenJanetCruz @TomLeeFL @kellistargel @JeffreyBrandes Here's the vote breakdown.
#FlaPol