On June 16, Governor Scott approved Senate Bill 1030, the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014. This legislation allows the use of low-THC cannabis, popularly known as “Charlotte’s Web,” to treat certain specified medical conditions such as epilepsy and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). This bill legalizes a very specific strain of cannabis to be cultivated and dispensed, but only in oil or capsule form. This legislation differs from the ballot initiative for November, Amendment 2, which would legalize all forms of cannabis to treat a wider variety of medical conditions and permit a broader form of administration (i.e., smoking). Neither the legislation nor Amendment 2 contain language that preempts municipalities from enacting ordinances relating to medical marijuana. Both, however, grant the Florida Department of Health rule-making authority, a process that is currently underway for the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014. As such, many municipalities have begun discussions on the potential impact, if any, to their community; some have passed local ordinances while others are still reviewing proposed ordinances. In order to serve you better, the Florida League of Cities is requesting copies of any municipal ordinances that have recently passed or being proposed related to the regulation of Medical Marijuana, either “Charlotte’s Web” or Amendment 2. Please fax or email copies to the FLC office, Attention Holly McPhail (fax: 850-222-3806, email: hmcphail@flcities.com). If you have any questions related to this request, please do not hesitate to contact Holly or Ryan Padgett, Assistant General Counsel at 850-222-9684 or rpadgett@flcities.com.
