marijuana law | The Health Law Firm Blog

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|

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|

New Report Reveals Massive $2.4 Billion Marijuana Impact on Colorado Economy

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On October 27, 2016, the Marijuana Policy Project issued a report for 2015 stating that the state-legal medical marijuana industry had a $2.4 billion economic impact on the Colorado economy. The cannabis industry, the fastest-growing business sector in Colorado, is credited with funding 18,005 direct and ancillary full-time jobs in 2015, according to the report. The Marijuana Policy Group (MPG) who issued the report, is a Denver-based economic and market research firm that consults with businesses and governments on marijuana policy.

What Does This Mean For the State of Colorado?

The size of the marijuana industry […]

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|

Denver Coffee Shop May Become First Business to Allow Social Marijuana Use

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

On December 12, 2017, the first application to allow social marijuana use in a business has landed in Colorado. This first application seeks to allow vaping and use of edibles southwest of downtown. Denver is the first in the U.S. to allow public consumption at businesses and at permitted events. You won’t have to fly all the way to Amsterdam any longer to partake of the weed.

The Coffee Joint.

The first that have applied to take advantage of this are two Denver entrepreneurs who plan to open a coffee shop called “The Coffee Joint.” The owners […]

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

Federal Judge Dismisses Former NFL Player’s Marijuana Decriminalization Suit

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

On February 26, 2018, a New York federal judge dismissed a former NFL star’s suit demanding decriminalization of medical marijuana. U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein said the Second Circuit has already determined that Congress had a rational basis to classify marijuana as a Schedule I drug.

Schedule I drugs are those drugs that allegedly have no known currently accepted medicinal use and have a high potential for abuse. Marijuana is right up there with LSD and heroin (15,466 heroin overdose deaths in 2016).

The Fight […]

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

What You Should Know Before Dabbing Into the Risks of Marijuana-Related Mergers and Acquisitions

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

As public support grows for the legalization of marijuana in the U.S. and Canada, mergers and acquisitions lawyers should be studying up now on the ins and outs of cannabis compliance. In the U.S., there are 29 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam and Puerto Rico, which have all legalized medical marijuana. In addition, there are nine states including Colorado and Massachusetts have recently legalized the drug for recreational use.

As a result, there is expected to be a serious increase in marijuana-related mergers and acquisitions activity. Now is the time for lawyers […]

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

New Medical-Marijuana Amendment to be Reviewed for Inclusion on Ballot

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

A new medical-marijuana amendment will be reviewed by the Department of State. The second push in Florida has more than 100,000 signatures in favor to date. The petitions were given to the state on Wednesday by an organization called United for Care.

This Year’s Version Addresses Loopholes.

Critics have said legal marijuana would result in dispensaries on street corners, minors obtaining joints and giving drug dealers a legal supply. This year’s version of the amendment will address all of these issues. It will allow […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:06-04:00May 15, 2018|marijuana law, Marijuana Law Blog, Medical Marijuana|

Orlando One Step Closer to Decriminalizing Marijuana as Commissioners Approve New Ordinance

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On April 18, 2016, Orlando moved a one step closer to effectively decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana. The City Council narrowly backed a measure that would allow officers to issue tickets to some people caught with the drug.

Orlando commissioners voted 4-3 to approve the ordinance, which would make possession of 20 grams (about two-thirds of an ounce) or less a violation of city code carrying a $50 fine for first-time offenders.

Marijuana Still Remains a State Crime.

Even if it passes, marijuana possession will […]

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

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

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

On March 16, 2016, Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives passed a measure that would legalize medical marijuana in certain forms. The vote was 149-43, with all voting Democrats and more than half of Republicans in support of the bill. The bill now moves onto the Senate, which has already approved an earlier version of the measure 10 months ago.

Growth in Medical Marijuana Programs.

In 2014, the Senate approved medical marijuana legislation, but stalled in committee and never reached a vote in the House. In 2015, […]

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