Florida Medical Marijuana Bill Introduced

[caption id="attachment_7335" align="alignright" width="134"] Rep. Matt Gaetz[/caption]

Yesterday, Florida Representative Matt Gaetz (R) introduced legislation to allow individuals to use medical marijuana containing very low levels of THC. The Speaker of the House is willing to let the bill move through his chamber. If you live in Florida, please email your lawmakers and ask them to support this very limited, yet compassionate, bill.

House Bill 843 would amend the definition of cannabis in the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act to exclude marijuana that is both less than 0.5% THC and more than 15% CBD. Marijuana high in CBD has been found to be very effective at controlling seizures.

While HB 843 would dramatically improve the well-being of patients with catastrophic seizure conditions, it would also leave many other patients behind. Possessing and using marijuana with higher amounts of THC will continue to be a criminal offense. Many patients in the 20 states and Washington, D.C. (which have comprehensive medical marijuana programs), including patients with multiple sclerosis, cancer, and ALS, find relief from marijuana containing more than THC than HB 843 allows.

Florida voters will have a chance to approve medical marijuana this year as well, following the qualification of a ballot initiative last week.