Pubdate: Sat, 20 Sep 2014
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2014 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mVLAxQfA
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Scott Powers
Page: 4B

LEGAL CHALLENGES PUT 'CHARLOTTE'S WEB' MEDICAL-MARIJUANA PROGRAM ON HOLD

Final development of Florida's legalized non-euphoric 
medical-marijuana program is on hold for up to 60 days because 
several potential growers are furious over the state's proposed rules 
and filed challenges.

Earlier this month, the Department of Health issued its final 
proposed rules on who could qualify for five state licenses to grow, 
process and sell so-called Charlotte's Web marijuana products to 
treat Florida patients with epilepsy, other neurological disorders and cancer.

But several plant nurseries and other businesses objected, saying the 
rules do little to determine which applicants are best suited and 
turns the ultimate selection into a lottery.

Costa Farms, of Miami, and Plants of Ruskin, of Ruskin, filed legal 
challenges late Monday with the Florida Division of Administrative 
Hearings. The Florida Medical Cannabis Association of Winter Park 
filed a third challenge Wednesday.

As a result, the state cannot enact the rules and start seeking 
license applications until the administrative judge makes a ruling, 
and that could take up to 60 days. The department is expected to 
enact the rules Sept. 30, and cannabis product sales were to start as 
early as Jan. 1.

The program was authorized by a law passed last spring by the Florida 
Legislature. It is not associated with a much broader 
medical-marijuana proposal that voters will consider on the Nov. 4 
ballot, Amendment2. However many prospective medical-marijuana 
businesses are concerned these rules would set the stage for rules 
for the potentially more-profitable medical marijuana program 
expected if Amendment 2 is adopted.

"We took this action very reluctantly. We are very aware of the need 
to provide this medicine as quickly as possible," said Louis Rotondo 
of the Florida Medical Cannabis Association.

The Department of Health released a statement from Florida Surgeon 
General John Armstrong calling the rule challenge "regrettable" and 
promising the state would administer the program as soon as possible.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom