Florida to grant License to low-THC Marijuana Growers
Posted by Sagar Satapathy on May 28, 2015.
A Tallahassee judge on Wednesday dismissed the the final hurdle, which would allow Florida Government to provide access to a limited strain of non-euphoric marijuana for medical purposes. The Florida Department of Health is expected to start accepting applications within three weeks from eligible growers who are interested in production of non-euphoric marijuana.
The non-euphoric marijuana is low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and high in cannabadiol, or CBD. Within a few months, growers would be able to sell marijuana to needy patients, it is believed. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, one of the sponsors of the 2014 legislation that sought the speedy development and cultivation of the so-called “Charlotte's Web strain of low-THC marijuana to help people suffering from epileptic seizures, cancer and other ailments, has expressed his happiness at the development.
“Today's ruling allows the department to move forward with implementing the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, approved by the legislature in 2014," the Department of Health said in a statement. Further, it sought to assure the people that it would ensure safe and efficient access to the product for children with refractory epilepsy and patients with advanced cancer. This product will be available by the end of the year.
Under the law, nurseries that have been in business for at least three decades in Florida and grow a minimum of 400,000 plants will be eligible to apply for one of five licenses to grow and distribute marijuana within the state. Around 100 nurseries meet the criteria, confirms Florida Department of Agriculture.
The rule also makes it mandatory for the dispensing organizations to give their consent that they would be able to stay in business for at least two years and cover all start-up costs. Although the law was approved by the 2014 Florida Legislature and was effective since last July 1, bureaucratic hurdles and legal challenges held things up for nearly a year.
