Before the success of Amendment 2 in 2016, UFC campaigned in support to Florida’s Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative in 2014. The campaign failed due to insufficient votes. The required amount of vote was 60%; however, it only received 58%.
In 2016, Amendment 2 made its way to the election ballot in Florida. The “yes” vote supported medical marijuana legalization for patients with the specific incapacitating disease or comparable incapacitating conditions as diagnosed by a licensed physician.
On the other hand, the “no” vote opposed the proposal for medical marijuana legalization keeping Florida’s limited medical cannabis program in place.
- Session of 2018 (Senate Bill 726)
Senator Gary Farmer introduced Senate Bill 726 to be considered during the legislative session in 2018. The bill was constructed to allow smoked medical cannabis. Ray Rodriguez, the leader of House Majority, stated that the bill would not make it past the State House. Ultimately, the bill didn’t pass in the regular session of 2018.
- Session of 2019 (Senate Bill 182)
This year, Senator Jeff Brandes introduced Senate Bill 182 in the legislation session 2019. The bill was constructed to permit medical cannabis to be smoked, among the other provisions. On March 2019, the Senate of Florida State approved the Senate Bill 182, in a landslide vote of 34 to 4, and the bill proceeds to the House. On March 13, 2019, the House approved the bill, in a vote of 101 to 11. And finally, on March 18, 2019, the governor signed the bill to a fully implemented law.
According to the reports of Reuters, 70% of citizens from Florida favored marijuana, however, some government officials have sentiments saying that the wording for marijuana was too vague and almost everyone will be able to gain access to the drug once the bill was approved.
After the long struggle, the bill finally become a law. Now patients have legal access to the required amount of medical marijuana that they need for their medication. Moreover, there are medical marijuana cards now available, which gives better access to several dispensaries.
Now that patients have access to medical marijuana, they can experience the benefits that its brings to people, especially those that are suffering from chronic pain. However, it is important to note that marijuana must be used under a great regulation.
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