legal counsel for medical marijuana | The Health Law Firm Blog

Orlando To Be Site for Opening of First Florida Medical Marijuana Dispensary

By Shannon McDonough, Legal and Marketing Intern

Central Florida Making Strides Toward Medical Marijuana Acceptance.

Central Florida has jumped on the bandwagon with the acceptance of the alternative medicine, medical marijuana. The first medical marijuana dispensary in Florida is opening within the next few weeks in Orlando. It will offer patients the option of medical marijuana to help treat pain and other symptoms. The dispensary, being opened by Knox Medical, is to be located on North Orlando Avenue at Ivanhoe Village in Orlando, Florida. This is the first dispensary location in Florida. Knox Medical states that it hopes to open four additional sites around the state.

Knox Medical Group Is Licensed to Cultivate and Sell Medical Grade Marijuana.

Knox Medical is one of just […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:02:03-04:00May 15, 2018|marijuana law, Marijuana Law Blog, Medical Marijuana|

Florida Department of Health Urges Caution to Avoid Reported Medical Marijuana Scams

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On April 20, 2017, the Orange County Medical Society (OCMS) Board of Directors was alerted to a scam involving medical marijuana. The scammers attempt to steal credit card information from patients. Patients are requested to provide their credit card numbers in exchange for a bogus offer of free or reduced-cost medical marijuana.

The DOH reports all incidents of potential fraud and scams to law enforcement, but wants to ensure residents and law makers are aware of what to avoid.

Avoid Medical Marijuana Scams.

Be aware that the perpetrators of the scam may mention the Department of Health’s “Office of […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:02:03-04:00May 15, 2018|marijuana law, Marijuana Law Blog, Medical Marijuana|

First Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Hawaii Gets Green Light From DOH

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On August 8, 2017, after waiting 17 years, Hawaii will begin dispensary sales of medical marijuana to patients. Maui Grown Therapies got the green light from the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) to begin selling medical cannabis. I know (from reliable sources, that is) that Hawaiian grown marijuana has always been a favorite with the connoisseur.

Maui Grown Therapies.

The Maui dispensary has been pre-registering patients and will begin selling medical cannabis to patients by appointment only, said Freitas Gorman, director of community relations and patient affairs. Walk-in […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:02:03-04:00May 15, 2018|Marijuana Law Blog, Medical Marijuana|

Inconsistency in Legislation Leads to Legal Challenge of Florida Medical Marijuana Law

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Challenge to Florida Legislatures’s Limitation on Medical Marijuana Use.

Despite the passage of a Florida Constitution Amendment by the people of the state of Florida in November 2016, the Legislature continues to attempt to artificially limit its access and availability. Current legislation bans the direct inhalation of the drug, opting for other forms that are far scarcer.
People United for Medical Marijuana continues to be a major activist for the complete legalization of medical marijuana. “People United” has challenged the current bill to make medical use of the […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:02:03-04:00May 15, 2018|marijuana law|

State of Florida Sued as DOH Fails to Grant New Pot Licenses

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On November 22, 2017, a plant nursery and a man who has epilepsy, filed suit alleging that it’s “high time” for the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to comply with a Florida constitutional amendment and its implementing legislation. The constitutional amendment requires the DOH to license more medical marijuana treatment centers. According to the suit that has been filed, DOH’s failure to do so is depriving patients of medication that they really need.

The Number of Licenced Treatment Centers.

Bill’s Nursery, Inc., and Michael Bowen filed suit accusing the DOH of failing to meet […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:02:03-04:00May 15, 2018|marijuana law|

Florida Harvests It’s First Legal Medical Marijuana Crop

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On July 18, 2016, Florida harvested it’s first legal marijuana crop. The new crop is being stored in multiple vacuum-packed, 441-gram bags in a freezer on the outskirts of Tallahassee. The harvest is the result of months of careful growing, monitoring, coaxing, and finally cultivating, scores of plants in a hidden farm overseen by horticulturalists and protected by armed guards. It is unknown which security company, if any, is providing security or if it approaches the security of Fort Knox.

This is one of two production facilities operated by Surterra Therapeutics, the first of six companies […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:09-04:00May 15, 2018|marijuana law, Marijuana Law Blog, Medical Marijuana|

Orlando City Council Vote to Extend Temporary Ban on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On November 14, 2016, Orlando’s City Council voted to extend its temporary ban on new marijuana dispensaries, less than a week after Florida voters backed a constitutional amendment to expand medical use of the drug. Back in July 2016, city commissioners voted to approve the temporary pause on marijuana dispensaries. The current ban is set to expire December 2016, but the city is pursuing an extension that would stretch the ban until July 1, 2017.

The Temporary Ban.

According to the city, the temporary ban will be beneficial because it will allow staffers to study the […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:09-04:00May 15, 2018|marijuana law, Marijuana Law Blog, Medical Marijuana|

Lake County, Florida Votes Unanimously to Ban Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On October 24, 2017, Lake County commissioners decided to ban medical marijuana dispensaries, citing the willingness of some neighboring communities to allow medicinal pot shops. The ban applies only to unincorporated areas of the county and not to the surrounding cities.

Access to Medical Marijuana.

Twenty-five states have already approved the use of medical marijuana and four states allowed recreational use. California, along with Massachusetts and Nevada approved the legalization of recreational pot use. Florida was joined by Arkansas, Montana and North Dakota in approving medical marijuana use.

Florida’s Amendment 2 passed with 71 percent of the vote. Those […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:12-04:00May 15, 2018|marijuana law|

Orlando To Be Site for Opening of First Florida Medical Marijuana Dispensary

By Shannon McDonough, Legal and Marketing Intern

Central Florida Making Strides Toward Medical Marijuana Acceptance.

Central Florida has jumped on the bandwagon with the acceptance of the alternative medicine, medical marijuana. The first medical marijuana dispensary in Florida is opening within the next few weeks in Orlando. It will offer patients the option of medical marijuana to help treat pain and other symptoms. The dispensary, being opened by Knox Medical, is to be located on North Orlando Avenue at Ivanhoe Village in Orlando, Florida. This is the first dispensary location in Florida. Knox Medical states that it hopes to open four additional sites around the state.

Knox Medical Group Is Licensed to Cultivate and Sell Medical Grade Marijuana.

Knox Medical is one of just […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:24-04:00May 15, 2018|Health Facilities Law Blog|

First Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Hawaii Gets Green Light From DOH

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On August 8, 2017, after waiting 17 years, Hawaii will begin dispensary sales of medical marijuana to patients. Maui Grown Therapies got the green light from the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) to begin selling medical cannabis. I know (from reliable sources, that is) that Hawaiian grown marijuana has always been a favorite with the connoisseur.

Maui Grown Therapies.

The Maui dispensary has been pre-registering patients and will begin selling medical cannabis to patients by appointment only, said Freitas Gorman, director of community relations and patient affairs. Walk-in sales will start in about a week.

In 2000, Hawaii was […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:26-04:00May 15, 2018|Mental Health Law Blog|