Local

Florida's first legal medical marijuana dispensary opens

Florida first legal medical marijuana dispensary officially opened its doors in Tallahassee on Tuesday.

Just last week, the company known as Trulieve received state approval to begin selling a type of medical marijuana that purportedly does not get users high, but is believed to alleviate conditions such as severe seizures.

A 2014 law allows the firm to legally sell low-TNC cannabis oil to patients who suffer from cancer, chronic muscle spasms and seizures.

Another law, passed during the most recent legislative session, allows terminally ill patients to use full-strength low-THC marijuana.

During a packed news conference at their capital city storefront, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers was excited to finally be open for business.

“When I say it is an historic and momentous day, it really is. We are really overwhelmed and so proud to be this pioneer,” Rivers said.

So far, one issue facing those who want to get legal weed is finding a doctor who will sign off on the treatment.

As of last week, only 15 doctors had signed up to order the low-THC products.

Doctor Ken Brummel-Smith is the medical director for Trulieve. He believes that will soon change.

“A lot of doctors are worried about this, and it is understandable,” Brummel-Smith said. “It still is illegal from a federal standpoint, although the federal government has defunding any type of prosecution of physicians who operate under the legal guidance of their state laws.”

Trulieve can sell to qualified patients statewide.

Customers can either come to their store in Tallahassee, or there is an order by phone option for home delivery.

Other medical marijuana businesses are slated to be licensed later this year across Florida.