Florida Senate passes smokable medical marijuana bill

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.