Regulation of Medical Marijuana in Florida

A new bill is on its way to the Florida House, with the intent of limiting the THC percentages to more than 485,000 licensed medical cannabis patients in the state.

The bill was recently approved by the Florida House Professions & Public Health Subcommittee, and is proposing a 10 percent THC cap on all smokeable, medical cannabis. All other forms and methods of cannabis consumption, excluding edibles, will have a 60 percent THC limit. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive component in cannabis producing a high sensation which, on average varies between 15-25 percent for all smokable cannabis flower.

The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Spencer Roach, is making the case that doctors in the state are currently overprescribing medical cannabis, and if reform is not taken now, it could create a similar reaction as seen during the opioid crisis.

Roach’s bill would also impact how medical professionals can advertise these services, limit patients to only purchasing up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis flower every 35 days regardless of the THC percentage, and would allow the Florida Department of Health to test the plants’ THC levels grown in the state’s cultivation facilities.

In an email addressing the bill, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, said “Marijuana is medicine. A THC cap will limit its impact and increase costs, forcing hundreds of thousands of sick patients to buy from the illegal market.”

Medical cannabis was passed in legislation after more than 71 percent of Florida voters opted in favor of the amendment in 2016. A recent study performed by the marijuana reform group, Florida for Care, found that 58 percent of Floridians are opposed to implementing THC restrictions.

To read more about the bill, you can click here. If you would like to explore medical cannabis as a part of your treatment plan, book an appointment at MMJ Health today. Our certified Florida Marijuana doctors can provide you with the necessary diagnosis and help obtain a Florida Medical Marijuana license.

You can sign up in 3 easy steps. Book an appointment and come to any of our 10 convenient MMJ Health locations to start your medical marijuana treatment today.