TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s ban on smokable forms of medical marijuana is one step closer to repeal, after the Senate voted 34-4 on Thursday to remove the prohibition.
The bill now heads to the House.
Lawmakers in 2017 passed a law carrying out the legalization of medical marijuana, approved by 71 percent of voters in 2016, but it barred patients from access to smokable marijuana, restricting them to oils and baked goods.
Advocates for the amendment filed suit, and a lower court ruled last year the smoking ban was unconstitutional. After taking office in January, Gov. Ron DeSantis told lawmakers he would drop the appeal of that decision, made by his predecessor Rick Scott, if they didn’t pass a new law by March 15.
Sen. Rob Bradley, who sponsored the previous law banning smoking, defended the position but said it was “time to move on.”
“We did what we thought was right for the health of the people of the state of Florida,” said Bradley, R-Fleming Island. “It’s time to move this discussion from Tallahassee to doctors’ offices around the state.”
This is a breaking story. Check back for updates.
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