As Popularity of Medical Marijuana Grows in the US, Florida Growers Focus on Business and Access to Medical Marijuana

This election day in November, Florida residents will have the opportunity to vote on a Medical Marijuana amendment to the state constitution to determine if they want access to medical marijuana in their state.

The legislation is ground-breaking in the US, not because it is one of the first pieces of medical marijuana legislation – 17 states already have operational access to medical marijuana, with 9 more preparing best practices to enact medical marijuana legislation – but because this would be the first Medical Marijuana amendment, not just law, regarding access to medical marijuana, a controversial drug treatment.

“This is path-breaking for Florida, like the start of the liquor industry after prohibition,” said Jeffrey Sharkey, founder of the Medical Marijuana Business Association.

Florida, like most of the Southern states near it, already has extremely limited legal access to CBD, or cannabidiol, an oil extract from the marijuana plant that allegedly offers users the most therapeutic effect. THC, the other major chemical found in marijuana, is the part of the plant that gets the user “high.”

Many marijuana growers and existing businesses are already looking for potential store fronts in Florida, should the medical marijuana amendment pass.

“We intend to have all of our clients be open day one, whenever the legislature determines we can sell medical cannabis,” said Christopher Pagan, a Florida attorney that helps run a medical marijuana consulting firm called CloudNine.

As many as 400,000 patients with chronic pain and illnesses in Florida could qualify for medical marijuana – not to mention the ageing retirees who flock to the state in droves for the temperate climate.

Critics of the amendment are concerned about the potential for recreational use of the drug skirting the law, similar to Florida’s problem with prescription painkiller abuse through pill mills. However, medical marijuana amendment supporter Bill Pollara argued that it was a risk the state should take.

“There’s risk, no question, in Florida’s proposition to legalize medical marijuana. There’s a chance some doctors will prescribe the drug in ways not intended. We saw that happen with pill mills, where unscrupulous doctors overprescribed narcotic pain medications to addicts for one simple reason: the almighty dollar. So, yes, there’s a chance some doctors will similarly be motivated to overprescribe medical marijuana,” he said.

“This is about getting medicine, getting relief to sick Floridians. Period. End of story,” Pollara added.

As Florida gears up for its medical marijuana vote, South Carolina lawmakers are gathering to discuss their take on medical marijuana. SLED, the SC Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Environmental Control, and the Medical University of South Carolina, gathered on Wednesday, September 3rd to discuss medical marijuana legalization with legislators, as well as how marijuana products can best be grown and distributed to patients.

If You Face Marijuana Charges, Including for Medical Marijuana Use Charges, The Strom Law Firm Can Help

Although many states have passed medical marijuana legislation, South Carolina still has not legalized the use of marijuana for recreational or medical reasons. You could be charged with drug possession. If you or a loved one have been found with medical marijuana, you could face criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, depending on how much marijuana was on your person, and what your intent was with the drug. The drug crimes attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. Do not let drug charges for medical marijuana hurt your reputation or your future aspirations. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800