Lack of Action for Medical Cannabis Results in Florida Lawsuit

A lawsuit was recently filed against the state of Florida for “unconstitutionally dragging their feet” regarding the approval of medical cannabis business permits.

The nursery, called Bill’s Nursery, as well as epilepsy patient Michael Bowen, both filed a suit against the administration of Gov. Rick Scott, stating that the state is breaking the law by not issuing its 10 medical cannabis business licenses.

According to Marijuana Business Daily, the Floridian cannabis law was passed earlier in June. The law also ordered the Florida Department of Health to issue all 10 licenses by October 3. Currently, only six have been approved, states the U.S. News.

Bowen is accusing the Health Department of keeping patients from gaining necessary access to their medicine. “In cases like mine, medical marijuana is literally the only thing that can control my seizures and keep me alive,” Bowen stated. “But the Florida Department of Health’s inexcusable foot-dragging is keeping patients like me from getting safe, reliable access to these lifesaving treatments.”

So far, no official announcement has been made regarding the lawsuit. The only update came from Department of Health Spokesperson Mara Gambineri, who said in an email response that the state is working “diligently” fulfill the requirements. “We remain committed to moving this process forward, and will do so in an expedient and thoughtful manner,” she also said.

Medical cannabis qualification laws were established in 2014 and 2016 respectively, and both were signed by Gov. Scott. Under those laws, medical cannabis patients were allowed to gain access to either low-THC cannabis, or full strength medical cannabis. Sufferers of conditions like HIV and AIDS, glaucoma, PTSD, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis were approved for medical cannabis consumption. Hopefully patients will not have to wait too long to see results soon.