Florida Legislature Passes Bill to Allow Smokable Forms of Marijuana

Florida lawmakers were given an ultimatum to devise legislation that ended the ban on smokable forms of medical marijuana by Governor DeSantis. They succeeded by passing an overwhelming 101-11 vote on March 13.

If lawmakers did not meet the governor’s deadline, the state would have dropped the appeal regarding the smoking ban, Fox 13 News reported.

Florida medical marijuana patients will be allowed to purchase smoking accessories at dispensaries and up to 2.5 ounces of smokable marijuana every 35 days. The bill went a step further to maintain the prohibition of public consumption. Adolescents that have medical marijuana cards will not be able to use smokable marijuana unless they are terminally ill and have a second opinion from a pediatrician.

Nikki Fried, the Agricultural Commissioner, is quite happy with Wednesday’s vote.

Fried said, “Today’s action to finally allow smokable medical marijuana brings four words to the lips of people across our state: It’s about damn time. I’m thankful for the House and Senate’s work to fix this situation and look forward to the governor signing this much-needed legislation into law. It’s long past due that the state of Florida honored the will of the people and allowed doctors to determine their patient’s course of treatment.”

Governor DeSantis is expected to sign the legislation into law immediately.