Florida Legislature Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

Today, Senate Bill 8-A was passed by the Florida legislature during a special session, officially establishing its regulatory guidelines for the state’s constitutional amendment to expand access to medical marijuana.

The bill passed the Senate by a 29-6 vote and in the House by 103-9; Gov. Rick Scott has stated he will “absolutely” sign the bill into law.

Dramatically expanding the limited medical marijuana law passed in 2014, once signed into law by the governor, the state’s patients, caregivers, doctors, and growers will enjoy greater access to medicinal cannabis but will still be prohibited from smoking their medicine.

Cognizant that medicine should remain tax-free, policymakers included a contentious sales tax exemption for medical marijuana, according to politico.

“House leaders argued that taxing the drug was inappropriate because it’s supposed to be considered medicine, and it’s a position Bradley said he’s personally more comfortable with in the bill. That exemption could mean losing out on $24 million in revenue with 350,000 patients on the registry and sales of $410 million, according to conservative estimates by state economists. Investor…