TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Department of Health is responding to questions raised by the Legislature over the state's new non-euphoric medical marijuana law, and revisions won't get the drugs on the market any sooner.
If the medical marijuana ballot amendment passes in November, it is unclear how it would effect the implementation of the seizure medication known as Charlotte's Web. The medicine is expected to be ready by spring of 2015.
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Following what was supposed to be the final hearing on Florida's non-euphoric medical marijuana law, the Department of Health is still tweaking some things.
A revision put out by the department addresses questions from the legislature and public about Charlotte's Web. The main change clears up ownership rules for who can apply to be a dispenser.
Grower advocate Jeff Sharkey said the change will help businesses and patients, but it's still a work in progress.
"I think this is an imperfect piece of Legislation that was passed," Sharkey said. "I don't think the legislature really had the wherewithal to really understand what it would take to get this thing to be a practical, rational regulatory framework for a dispensing business."
The revisions may be clearing some things up, but they'll also be causing a delay.
The change requires a 21-day notification period. Then, a legislative committee must certify the new rules and the Department of Health needs to adopt them -- another 20-day process.
Finally, applicants looking for one of the five state-issued licenses will have 15 days to apply.
A lottery system to determine the five dispensers for the state is still in place -- something the Florida Medical Cannabis Association is on the fence about.
If all the dates hold, the process will be done Nov. 4, the same day voters will decide on a broader medical marijuana law.