Thread by @JimRosicaFL

The House Approps Cmte now takes up HB 7117, the #MedicalMarijuana bill that would put a 10% cap on THC in smokable marijuana, among other things. #FlaPol

Bill sponsor @isayray said research backs putting a THC cap on smokable bc higher THC may cause psychosis in some patients. #FlaPol

@isayray Rep. @isayray mentions other states have THC caps; NJ also has a 10% cap, for example. "We're just following the science," he says.
#FlaPol

@isayray "As policymakers, our goal is to do no harm," he says. Explains that higher THC in other #MedicalMarijuana products (oils, etc.) is OK bc science shows not as harmful as in smokable. #FlaPol

Now the amendments: 1 would provide $350K in funding to @HealthyFla for implementation. It is adopted. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla Amendment 2 by Rep. @CarlosGSmith would add "addiction to or dependence on an opioid drug" as a qualifying condition to be eligible for MMJ as a patient. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith Speaker Juan Perez (sp?) apologizes for being angry, mentions he drove 4 hours to get here, but says lawmakers can't spend 4 hours to get educated on MMJ and its effect on body. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith Ron Watson of AltMed Fla. (d/b/a MÜV) tells panel that use of MMJ is good idea adopted elsewhere to fight opioid addiction: "You could save 17 people a day from dying." #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith Social worker and MMJ advocate Josephine Cannella-Krehl speaks in support of amendment and opposes THC cap. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith Veterans tell lawmakers they used CBD and MMJ to quit dependence on opiates. "We could eliminate ... unnecessary deaths" from opioid addiction, says one. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith "Kelly," an Army vet and recovering addict, supports the amendment, says she used MMJ to get off narcotics. "I'm a better mom, better nurse ... bc of it," she says. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith Rep. @RalphMassullo, a medical doctor, says he's conflicted about @CarlosGSmith amendment, says he doesn't want to put people on one drug "equally addictive" as other. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo Rep. @RalphMassullo says he does not "have the luxury of playing doctor: I have to be one." #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo Rep. @JoeGellerFL says amendment "imperfect tho' it may be" is opportunity to do something about problem of opioid addiction, to help people who want to get off the drug. "This will only help people; I believe it will 'do no harm.' " #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL In closing, @Smith says cannabis is "not a gateway drug, it's an exit drug ... if someone is struggling with addiction, don't they have a right to try medical cannabis to wean themselves off" a more powerful drug?
#FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith .@CarlosGSmith also asks that @AGAshleyMoody consider MMJ as a way to tackle opioid abuse. She has formed a task force on that issue.

...The amendment fails.
#FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody Amendment 3, also by @CarlosGSmith, is up. A 3-time cancer survivor testifies he is down to minimum of narcotics bc of MMJ. Says 10% cap is "nuts." "No cap should be allowed," he adds. "I need high THC." #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody Josephine Cannella-Krehl back at mic, saying that MMJ named in honor of ALS survivor/smoking MMJ plaintiff Cathy Jordan is consistently tested at over 10% THC, so approving this bill will be her "death sentence." #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody In closing on Amendment 3, @CarlosGSmith says cap will force people to buy and smoke more or go to the "black market" for more supply.
...The amendment fails.
#FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody We are now in public comment on the @isayray bill as amended (and not amended, as the case may be). Many who previously spoke against it are waiving in opposition. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody @isayray Gary Stein says you "can't create policy on bad science," pans so-called "research" @isayray uses as rationale for THC cap. Stein is a longtime MMJ advocate & retired health worker. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody @isayray Man who says he has osteoarthritis, no cartilage left in lower joints, says he will be essentially sentenced to home imprisonment if cap passes. Won't be able to walk. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody @isayray House Approps chair Travis Cummings now limiting comments to 10 seconds. Calls out one speaker for "personal insults," guy almost gets escorted out by House sergeants. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody @isayray Speaker, "angry Gainesville CBD shop owner," had ridiculed Dr. @CaryPigman for walking out of hearing after calling him out for ignoring opposing views.
(h/t to @TheDaraKam )
#FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody @isayray @CaryPigman @TheDaraKam Looks like we'll have six minutes or so of debate on @isayray's MMJ bill tho' no votes were changed, I'll bet, & result is a foregone conclusion. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody @isayray @CaryPigman @TheDaraKam .@DaneEagle motion to extend meeting by 15 minutes is unopposed. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody @isayray @CaryPigman @TheDaraKam @DaneEagle .@CarlosGSmith says the THC cap is the "poison pill" in a bill that has other good provisions. He can't support it. Wants advocates to help him push better legislation, research. #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody @isayray @CaryPigman @TheDaraKam @DaneEagle In closing on bill, @isayray again turns to research showing THC has increased greatly in marijuana over years, suggesting it is too potent now. He says 35% THC is suggestive of "genetic engineering," which he opposes.
#FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody @isayray @CaryPigman @TheDaraKam @DaneEagle "Let me tell you what is going on in New Jersey," @isayray adds, mentioning move to legalize recreational marijuana. (NJ was mentioned previously bc it has 10% THC cap on MMJ.) #FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody @isayray @CaryPigman @TheDaraKam @DaneEagle No surprise, HB 7117 clears the committee on a party line vote.
#FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody @isayray @CaryPigman @TheDaraKam @DaneEagle I counted 18 yes votes, 7 no votes.
#FlaPol

@HealthyFla @CarlosGSmith @RalphMassullo @JoeGellerFL @smith @AGAshleyMoody @isayray @CaryPigman @TheDaraKam @DaneEagle @threadreaderapp unroll