Florida A&M University (FAMU) and the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) will host the third community forum as part of its mission to educate and inform the state’s diverse communities about medical marijuana. [Read more…] about FAMU’s Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative Announces Pensacola Community Forum
Medical Marijuana
Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces New Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee
Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced a newly-created Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee, which will collaborate with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to help improve the state’s medical marijuana policies. [Read more…] about Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces New Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee
Senators file bill to allow VA to prescribe medical marijuana to veterans
U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced legislation today to allow doctors at the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs to prescribe medical marijuana to veterans in the 31 states that have established medical-marijuana programs – including in Florida. [Read more…] about Senators file bill to allow VA to prescribe medical marijuana to veterans
Statement from Medical Marijuana Founder and CEO Jake Bergmann Regarding Jeff Sessions Policy Reversal
Please see the below statement from Surterra Wellness Founder and CEO, Jake Bergmann.
“This callous move by Jeff Sessions will not impact the patients of Florida in any way. Surterra will continue to cultivate and distribute medical cannabis to the thousands of patients using this all-natural plant to treat pain, cancer, PTSD and all the other ailments people suffer from that marijuana can help. This is real medicine, and we have hundreds of stories from real people to prove it. We will continue to serve those patients, and advocate for those patients until marijuana is recognized for what it is – a safe, natural alternative to opiates for pain and life-changing medicine for people not only in Florida, but throughout the United States.
If anything, policymakers should seize this opportunity to bring forth legislation that legalizes marijuana and gives people that are using it medicinally security and safety standards for these products. There are countless anecdotes, and lots of viable research, that proves marijuana has medicinal benefits. I haven’t even mentioned the fact that it is hugely popular, and much more so than the individual trying to prohibit it. Add to all that there are no documented cases of someone dying from marijuana, but almost 100 families in America lose a loved one because of opiates each and every day. We need to stop allowing an 80-year-old propaganda campaign that has been perpetuated by pro-pharma special interests to continue and stop denying access to medicine derived from marijuana.”
About Surterra
Surterra has brought together industry leaders from medicine and cannabis research to discover and advance the natural therapeutic benefits of cannabis-based products and are providing cannabis products to qualified patients throughout the entire State of Florida. Surterra’s mission is to provide the safest, highest quality cannabis-based products that empower your health and enable you and your loved ones to live well.
Acclaimed 'Concussion' Doctor Bennet I. Omalu to Keynote at Largest NFL & Medical Marijuana Conference on Super Bowl LII Weekend
American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association to Host Two-Day Conference to Tackle Misconceptions, Benefits, and the Future of Medicinal Cannabis in NFL Athletes
The American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association (AMMPA), the largest physician-based organization representing the medical cannabis industry, will host the largest NFL and Medical Cannabis Conference on February 2-3, 2018, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center in Miami, Fla. The two-day conference will be the first of its kind to merge the topics of medical treatment specifically for active and retired NFL players and the use of medical marijuana as an alternative to treatment with opioids. Dr. Bennet I. Omalu, the physician who first identified chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and whose story was portrayed in the movie “Concussion,” will be the featured keynote speaker.
“This groundbreaking conference that merges the world of traditional western medicine and alternative medical marijuana treatments, will provide an opportunity for like-minded physicians from around the world to engage in educational topics that could begin to change the way medicine is practiced,” said Dr. Jason Pirozzolo, co-founder of AMMPA. “We look forward to bringing together our many distinguished speakers and industry leaders from around the world, including Dr. Omalu, to educate and begin to destigmatize the use of medical marijuana as a potential treatment alternative.”
Topics of discussion at the conference will include concussions and CTE in the NFL, cannabis use for chronic pain in former NFL athletes, cannabinoids and neurodegenerative diseases, and the future of medical cannabis research, among others.
As fans and players around the world gear up to watch Super Bowl LII on February 4, thought leaders and retired NFL players will come together at the conference to discuss health issues plaguing the league and how medical marijuana could serve as a safer alternative treatment. According to a recent study, retired NFL players use opioids at four times the rate of the general population. This issue was elevated even further in 2017 when Florida Governor Rick Scott declared the opioid epidemic to be a statewide emergency, followed by President Trump’s declaration of the opioid crisis as a nationwide public health emergency in October.
Discussions will be led by a faculty of renowned thought leaders including Dr. Laszlo Mechtler of Dent Neurologic Institute in New York, and Dr. Jerzy Szaflarski, both among the world’s foremost researchers on medical cannabis and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as keynote speaker Dr. Omalu. From 2002, when Dr. Omalu first published his CTE findings in the journal Neurosurgery, the NFL refused to publicly acknowledge the connection between CTE and concussions sustained in football. In 2015, his story was told in the award-winning biographical sports drama film “Concussion,” in which he was played by actor Will Smith. The film brought widespread attention to CTE and brain injury in football and other contact sports.
In addition, the lineup of panel speakers includes former NFL players, who will share their stories about their health and relationship with medicinal cannabis. Industry-leading brands, such as Surterra Wellness – the presenting sponsor, will also be present to showcase new products and insights.
Online registration is open here to physician members for $395, physician non-members for $570, and the general public for $195. The Florida Medical Association designates this live activity for approximately 10.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
For more information about AMMPA or The NFL and Medical Cannabis Conference, please visit www.AMMPA.net.
About the American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association
The American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association (AMMPA) is the largest physician-based organization representing the medical cannabis industry, with around 800 physician members. Based in Florida, the membership-driven association focuses on providing members with the resources they need to safely and effectively utilize medical marijuana recommendations as an alternative treatment modality for their patients. AMMPA serves as a physician advocate, helping to outline practice risks and benefits, education requirements, and compliance issues, and aggregates its members to provide a unified voice representing all physicians currently interested in cannabinoid medicine. For more information, visit www.AMMPA.net.
About The NFL and Medical Cannabis Conference
The NFL and Medical Cannabis Conference is designed to help physicians expand and update existing knowledge and skills regarding ever-increasingly sophisticated diagnostic and practice guidelines, to share new ideas for evaluation and treatment techniques, and to increase practitioners’ knowledge and ability to act and advocate for patients within the current medical legislative and regulatory environment.
Acclaimed ‘Concussion’ Doctor Bennet I. Omalu to Keynote at Largest NFL & Medical Marijuana Conference on Super Bowl LII Weekend
American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association to Host Two-Day Conference to Tackle Misconceptions, Benefits, and the Future of Medicinal Cannabis in NFL Athletes
The American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association (AMMPA), the largest physician-based organization representing the medical cannabis industry, will host the largest NFL and Medical Cannabis Conference on February 2-3, 2018, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport & Convention Center in Miami, Fla. The two-day conference will be the first of its kind to merge the topics of medical treatment specifically for active and retired NFL players and the use of medical marijuana as an alternative to treatment with opioids. Dr. Bennet I. Omalu, the physician who first identified chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and whose story was portrayed in the movie “Concussion,” will be the featured keynote speaker.
“This groundbreaking conference that merges the world of traditional western medicine and alternative medical marijuana treatments, will provide an opportunity for like-minded physicians from around the world to engage in educational topics that could begin to change the way medicine is practiced,” said Dr. Jason Pirozzolo, co-founder of AMMPA. “We look forward to bringing together our many distinguished speakers and industry leaders from around the world, including Dr. Omalu, to educate and begin to destigmatize the use of medical marijuana as a potential treatment alternative.”
Topics of discussion at the conference will include concussions and CTE in the NFL, cannabis use for chronic pain in former NFL athletes, cannabinoids and neurodegenerative diseases, and the future of medical cannabis research, among others.
As fans and players around the world gear up to watch Super Bowl LII on February 4, thought leaders and retired NFL players will come together at the conference to discuss health issues plaguing the league and how medical marijuana could serve as a safer alternative treatment. According to a recent study, retired NFL players use opioids at four times the rate of the general population. This issue was elevated even further in 2017 when Florida Governor Rick Scott declared the opioid epidemic to be a statewide emergency, followed by President Trump’s declaration of the opioid crisis as a nationwide public health emergency in October.
Discussions will be led by a faculty of renowned thought leaders including Dr. Laszlo Mechtler of Dent Neurologic Institute in New York, and Dr. Jerzy Szaflarski, both among the world’s foremost researchers on medical cannabis and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as keynote speaker Dr. Omalu. From 2002, when Dr. Omalu first published his CTE findings in the journal Neurosurgery, the NFL refused to publicly acknowledge the connection between CTE and concussions sustained in football. In 2015, his story was told in the award-winning biographical sports drama film “Concussion,” in which he was played by actor Will Smith. The film brought widespread attention to CTE and brain injury in football and other contact sports.
In addition, the lineup of panel speakers includes former NFL players, who will share their stories about their health and relationship with medicinal cannabis. Industry-leading brands, such as Surterra Wellness – the presenting sponsor, will also be present to showcase new products and insights.
Online registration is open here to physician members for $395, physician non-members for $570, and the general public for $195. The Florida Medical Association designates this live activity for approximately 10.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
For more information about AMMPA or The NFL and Medical Cannabis Conference, please visit www.AMMPA.net.
About the American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association
The American Medical Marijuana Physicians Association (AMMPA) is the largest physician-based organization representing the medical cannabis industry, with around 800 physician members. Based in Florida, the membership-driven association focuses on providing members with the resources they need to safely and effectively utilize medical marijuana recommendations as an alternative treatment modality for their patients. AMMPA serves as a physician advocate, helping to outline practice risks and benefits, education requirements, and compliance issues, and aggregates its members to provide a unified voice representing all physicians currently interested in cannabinoid medicine. For more information, visit www.AMMPA.net.
About The NFL and Medical Cannabis Conference
The NFL and Medical Cannabis Conference is designed to help physicians expand and update existing knowledge and skills regarding ever-increasingly sophisticated diagnostic and practice guidelines, to share new ideas for evaluation and treatment techniques, and to increase practitioners’ knowledge and ability to act and advocate for patients within the current medical legislative and regulatory environment.
Surterra Wellness Petitions Department of Health for Edibles Implementation
Surterra Wellness has filed a petition to initiate rulemaking to force the Department of Health to start the process that will provide access to edible marijuana products in Florida.
Florida statutes require the Department of Health to determine by rule any shapes, forms and ingredients allowed and prohibited for edible marijuana products and no licensee is able to begin processing or dispensing edibles until after the effective date of that rule. This means that no Florida patient will have access to legal marijuana edibles until the Department of Health makes these rules, and they have yet to initiate that on their own. This petition is intended to jump start that process.
“Many patients have been seeking edible products because it is the best format for them to find relief,” said Wesley Reynolds, President of Surterra Florida. “Surterra Wellness has and will continue to fight for access to medical cannabis, and this is just a continuation of that cause. The more available options for people, the more likely they will be able to use a cannabis product instead of highly addictive and easily abused opiates.”
Surterra Wellness currently offers a wide range of product options and edibles, when authorized by the Health Department, will be an additional line. Surterra currently offers statewide delivery and can be reached at (850) 391-5455 or by visiting their website.
About Surterra
Surterra has brought together industry leaders from medicine and cannabis research to discover and advance the natural therapeutic benefits of cannabis-based products and are providing cannabis products to qualified patients throughout the entire State of Florida. Surterra’s mission is to provide the safest, highest quality cannabis-based products that empower your health and enable you and your loved ones to live well.
Leading National Company Seeks License to Join Florida’s Medical Cannabis Program
AGRiMED Industries Submits Application for State License
AGRiMED Industries, a fully integrated medical cannabis organization, has submitted its application for one of five new licenses to produce medical marijuana in Florida. The license would permit the company to grow and sell therapeutic pharmaceutical-grade cannabis products.
AGRiMED Industries, a Pennsylvania-based company, works to bring cannabis-derived medicine from cultivation to patient care. The company is recognized for its state-of-the-art greenhouse facilities, diverse leadership team, and extensive community involvement. This unique combination produced the high score among 177 applicants for one of Pennsylvania’s 12 medical-marijuana licenses last year.
Today, AGRiMED remains a leader in patient wellness, working to cultivate, process, and dispense pure, pesticide-free agricultural medicine to patients. The company hopes its track record of success and leading business strategies will place it at the forefront when Florida health officials make their selections at the end of the month.
Unlike many companies in the medical cannabis field, AGRiMED is minority-owned, and is deeply committed to supporting research into the use of cannabis for sickle cell anemia and working with historically black universities to provide training and internships to students for early experience in the industry. The company’s relationship with Lincoln University generates a knowledge center for cannabis-related research and development fueled by minority students, the first of its kind in the country.
ABOUT AGRiMED INDUSTRIES, LLC
AGRiMED Industries is a leading medical company committed to improving the health and wellness of ailing patients. With state-of-the-art greenhouse facilities and over 200 years of collective business and medical expertise, AGRiMED produces high-quality agricultural medicine with tremendous healing benefits. For more information on AGRiMED Industries visit, https://AGRiMEDindustries.com.
Senate Passes Legislation to Expand Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana
Senate Bills Implement Voter-Approved Constitutional Amendment
The Florida Senate today passed Senate Bill 8A, Medical Use of Marijuana, and Senate Bill 6A, Public Records/Medical Marijuana Use Registry/Physician Certification for Marijuana and Dispensing/Department of Health. Together, the bills implement Article X, section 29 of the Florida Constitution, which allows the use of marijuana by patients with debilitating medical conditions.
“This legislation demonstrates fidelity to the Constitution by fully and faithfully implementing the constitutional amendment passed by 71 percent of voters last November,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart). “The legislation also affirms our commitment to local control by allowing local governments to regulate the location of dispensing facilities. In addition, the legislation enhances research opportunities that will allow scientists and physicians to study and improve this medicine for our fellow citizens who are suffering from serious medical conditions and illnesses.”
“We are committed to fulfilling our constitutional duty to ensure the availability and safe use of medical marijuana in the manner prescribed by Florida voters,” said Senator Bradley. “This patient-first legislation removes barriers for both patients and physicians, expanding access to this medicine. The legislation will also help strengthen the patient-physician relationship, while ensuring safety through a unified regulatory structure for each component of the process from seed to sale. Additionally, the bill clarifies that like other medication, medical marijuana is exempt from state and local sales tax.”
Patients, Caretakers, and Physicians:
Senate Bill 8A requires patients to be certified by a licensed Florida physician as having at least one qualifying medical condition. If a patient is younger than 18 years of age, a second physician must also agree. The following are qualifying medical conditions:
- Cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS);
- A medical condition of the same kind or class as those listed above; or
- Chronic nonmalignant pain that is caused by one of the enumerated qualified medical conditions or that originates from a qualified condition and persists beyond the usual course of that condition.
The legislation also requires physicians to complete a 2-hour course and examination offered by the Florida Medical Association or the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association. The course must be completed upon each licensure renewal.
Further the bill, establishes requirements for physicians prior to certifying a patient and after certification. A certifying physician must:
- Determine that medical marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks to a patient;
- Check the patient’s prescription history in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Database; and
- Recertify every 30 weeks.
Senate Bill 8A also removes the three-month treatment prerequisite for patients. Patients and caregivers must provide proof of residency, register with the Department of Health (DOH), and possess an identification card. The DOH is required to create and maintain an online medical marijuana use registry for patients, caretakers and physicians. The bill clarifies that edibles and vaping are permitted, while smoking is prohibited.
Tax Exemption:
Senate Bill 8A provides a permanent tax exemption for medical marijuana and marijuana delivery devices. Medication in Florida is tax exempt.
Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs):
Senate bill 8A requires the DOH to license MMTCs as vertically integrated entities to cultivate, process, transport, and dispense low-THC marijuana, medical marijuana, and medical marijuana delivery devices. The DOH is further required to license the existing Dispensing Organizations (DOs) created under the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act as MMTCs as soon as practicable, no later than July 3, 2017.
The DOH is required to award ten additional MMTC licenses as soon as practicable, but no later than October 3, 2017.
Moving forward, the legislation requires the DOH to award four additional MMTC licenses for every 100,000 active patients in the medical marijuana use registry. MMTCs must have their products tested by marijuana testing labs certified by the DOH.
Dispensing Facilities:
Senate Bill 8A restricts the number of dispensing facilities each MMTC may initially establish to 25. MMTCs are allowed to operate five additional dispensing facilities for every 100,000 active patients in the medical marijuana use registry. DOH will determine the number of dispensing facilities per region for each MMTC. The number of dispensing facilities per region will be calculated based on a region’s population relative to the state’s overall population.
MMTCs are authorized to sell unused dispensary slots to another MMTC. An MMTC that buys such an unused slot may utilize the slot only within the same region in which the slot could have been used prior to the purchase. The buying and selling of slots will increase or reduce an MMTC’s statewide and regional maximums regarding the number of dispensaries it may operate.
The bill provides a sunset date for the dispensing facility cap to expire on April 1, 2020, and requires dispensing facilities to look and feel like a physician’s office.
Local Control:
Senate Bill 8A allows local governments to regulate the location of dispensing facilities and provides that a local government may ban dispensaries within its borders. However, if a local government permits dispensing facilities, it may not impose limits on the number of dispensing facilities.
Research and Education:
Senate Bill 8A creates the Coalition for Medical Marijuana Research and Education within the Moffitt Cancer Center to conduct scientific research, provide education, disseminate research, and guide policy on the ordering and dosing practices for the medical use of marijuana. DOH is required to implement a statewide marijuana education and illicit use prevention campaign regarding the health effects of marijuana use, particularly on minors and young adults. Further, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will implement a statewide impaired driving education campaign to raise awareness and prevent marijuana-related and cannabis-related impaired driving.
Background:
In 2014, the Legislature passed the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act to allow patients suffering from cancer or a condition that chronically produces seizures or severe and persistent muscle spasms to use low-THC cannabis. In 2015, the Legislature enacted the Right to Try Act, which authorizes an eligible patient with a terminal condition to receive an investigational drug, biological product, or device. In 2016, the Legislature expanded the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis under the Right to Try Act. Additionally, changes were made to the regulatory structure within the Department of Health to increase oversight and address previous roadblocks during implementation.
In November 2016, Florida voters approved an amendment to the State Constitution creating Article X, section 29, Medical Marijuana Production, Possession, and Use. The amendment creates several exemptions from criminal and civil liability related to the medical use of marijuana for qualifying patients, physicians, treatment centers and caregivers.
Senator Jeff Brandes files legislation to implement amendment 2
Alternative proposal for medical marijuana offered for consideration by full Senate
Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) today filed legislation to implement the medical marijuana constitutional amendment, known as Amendment 2, which passed with over 71% of voter approval on the November 2016 General Ballot. The proposal by Senator Brandes will be considered as an amendment to Senate Bill 8A, the Amendment 2 implementation bill filed by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Orange Park) scheduled to be heard by the Senate during the 2017 Special Legislative Session A.
“This proposal is the purest implementation proposal that the legislature has seen to date for Amendment 2,” stated Senator Brandes. “For the first time the Florida Senate will have an opportunity to vote consistent with our Republican principles of free markets and fair competition. This legislation puts Florida patients first, and protects the physician-patient relationship. I look forward to a robust conversation with my colleagues on this proposal, and I urge their support so that we can address this important issue during the Special Session.”
The proposal by Senator Brandes repeals Florida’s current law relating to low-THC medical marijuana. Under the Brandes proposal, medical marijuana is not subject to sales tax. Additionally, the number of Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTC) licensed in the state will be determined by market demand, rather than an arbitrary maximum set in law. Furthermore, the Brandes proposal eliminates the “vertical integration” mandate, which is a requirement that the same company must grow, process, transport, and dispense medical marijuana. The Brandes proposal provides flexibility to local governments to determine whether or not medical marijuana retail facilities may be located within their jurisdiction, and limits the number of retail facilities to not more than one per 25,000 residents. Finally, the Brandes proposal authorizes any method of consumption so that physicians can determine the best form of administering medical marijuana, rather than lawmakers.
For more information on the proposal by Senator Brandes, click here.
