Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that prohibits possession or usage of medical marijuana — even when prescribed by a doctor — for residents of recovery residences in the state of Florida. Residents will be able to use prescribed pharmaceutical drugs.
The new law, which “explicitly singles out medical marijuana,” will require those looking to operate recovery residences under the state Department of Children and Families to affirm that they do not permit cannabis usage, including “marijuana that has been certified by a qualified physician for medical use.” Furthermore, the new law has amended the requirement to mandate the “prohibition on marijuana, regardless of a person’s status as a medical cannabis patient.”
DeSantis attacked cannabis use further by signing another bill that requires bars to raise the age limit to 21 for smokeless hemp products, including “snuff, chewing gum, and other smokeless products.”
The Governor of Florida has been forthright in his criticism of marijuana. Last month, he argued marijuana hurts the workforce, impedes productivity, and could be deadly if contaminated.
A March poll shows 70 percent of Floridians in favour of recreational marijuana use, including nearly 60 percent Republican support in the state.
DeSantis is yet to take such stringent action against Big Pharma, despite a number of presidential candidates, such as former President Donald J. Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr, demanding action to counter the political and societal impact of the industry. On the contrary, the Governor of Florida has been cosying up to Big Pharma lobbyists to kick-start his disappointing presidential campaign, including Moderna lobbyist Marc Lampkin.
