State plans to rewrite rules for medical marijuana
- December 16, 2014
- / News Service of Florida
- / government
The Florida Department of Health is going to rewrite the rules when it comes to growing and distributing medical marijuana. Department spokesman, Nathan Dunn, said the agency will hold a workshop Dec. 30, in Orlando, to develop them.
The DOH decided not to appeal an administrative law judge’s decision striking down the state’s plan to regulate Florida’s new medical-marijuana industry.
In the ruling, Administrative Law Judge W. David Watkins took issue with the lottery system the DOH had proposed to select growers. He suggested a merit-based process would be better to pick the five licensees that will grow, process, and distribute the medicine.
Earlier this year, lawmakers and Governor Rick Scott approved a bill that allows the production of non-euphoric marijuana, which supporters say helps people with certain types of conditions, like children with severe forms of epilepsy.
The Department of Health is responsible for developing a rule that provides details about how the state will regulate the industry.