Thread by @JimRosicaFL

The FL House has gone into floor session to consider the Senate's measure repealing and regulating smokable #MedicalMarijuana in the state.
The news starts ... right now.
#FlaPol

The Senate's #MedicalMarijuana bill - by @JeffreyBrandes - is now on the floor, having been substituted for the House measure. #FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes Rep. Ray Rodrigues (@isayray) is going over the bill's particulars, which include that minors can't smoke unless they're terminally ill. #FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray Also has a research component in the bill. House Speaker @RepJoseOliva now opens the floor to questions. #FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva Rep. @CarlosGSmith asks whether patients can buy pipes outside of MMTCs. Rodrigues says yes.
Also asks about availability of MMJ flower for, say, juicing. RayRod just says whole flower can be sold.
#FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith Smith also asks about packaging. Concerned about law enforcement. Rodrigues says packaging will be uniform. Patient should have name on label.
#FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith Smith asks about seeds in the whole flower. Can patients take the seeds and grow it themselves at home? Rodrigues says there is no provision for 'home grow' in the bill. #FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith Now, Rep. @ShevrinJones asks about patients driving and being pulled over for traffic infractions with MMJ.
Rodrigues says police will have access to online database, can verify individual is valid MMJ patient. #FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith @ShevrinJones The bill allows "a 35-day supply of marijuana in a form for smoking" but not to "exceed 2.5 ounces unless an exception to this amount is approved" by the Department of Health. #FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith @ShevrinJones Patients cannot have, at any one time, more than 4 ounces, however.
... Rep. Valdes asks about MJ legalization overall; Rodrigues says that is beyond the scope of the bill on the floor. #FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith @ShevrinJones Rep. @NEWTFL asks if bill affects the vertical integration requirement, that growing, processing, retail all must be owned by same concern. Rodrigues says bill does not change that. #FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith @ShevrinJones @NEWTFL Asked about costs - bc MMJ is not covered by insurance - Rodrigues says, "This bill does not address affordability."
(That topic may well be addressed in another bill expected to launch this Session.)
#FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith @ShevrinJones @NEWTFL The bill is now being "rolled over" to 3rd reading, meaning it will be voted on and likely passed today. There is no debate. Rodrigues closing, saying "I'm not going to have all your votes today...but this bill is important" bc it provides "guardrails." #FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith @ShevrinJones @NEWTFL "We will be watching and hoping the best occurs" he adds, saying he hopes medical community polices itself. #FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith @ShevrinJones @NEWTFL The bill passes 101-11 and heads to @GovRonDeSantis for signature. #FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith @ShevrinJones @NEWTFL @GovRonDeSantis Ag. Comm'r @NikkiFriedFL reacts to passage of #MedicalMarijuana bill.
#FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith @ShevrinJones @NEWTFL @GovRonDeSantis @NikkiFriedFL @threadreaderapp unroll

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith @GovRonDeSantis @NikkiFriedFL As Fla. moves into the world of smokable MMJ, here's a thought from former Office of #MedicalMarijuana Use director @Christianbax on ep 1 of his and @GloverLawFL 's new @REGULATEDPOD
#FlaPol

@JeffreyBrandes @isayray @RepJoseOliva @CarlosGSmith @GovRonDeSantis @NikkiFriedFL @Christianbax @GloverLawFL @REGULATEDPOD Part II
#FlaPol