Florida House moves to end smokable medical marijuana ban

A bill to repeal the ban on smoking medical marijuana is headed to Gov. Ron Desantis’ desk. The Florida House passed a proposal today to end the ban.

The bill also sets aside $1.5 million annually for research, and opens the door for terminally ill children to use it as well.

Josh Wright is a veteran and medical marijuana user. He tells Action News Jax he was medically discharged from the U.S. Army in 2004 after suffering a dislocated knee. He says the drug makes life manageable.

“It’s actually replaced about three prescriptions from the VA, ranging from pain medication to sleep aid,” he said.

DeSantis demanded a plan to repeal the state’s ban on smokable medical marijuana earlier this year. Senate Bill 182 passed the Florida House Wednesday with an overwhelming 101 to 11 vote.

“If you’ve got pain it’s going to help, if you’re stressed it’s going to help,” said Wright. “If you’re having a hard time sleeping it’s going to help.”

The bill would allow patients to buy up 2.5 ounces of marijuana every 35 days, and allow some children who are terminally ill to use smokable marijuana with a second opinion from a pediatrician.

Once signed into law, $1.5 million will be set aside annually for a “Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research” at a University in the State of Florida.

Wright says many medical marijuana users would prefer smoking over eating edibles.

“Once it does kick in, you don’t have any control over the amount you’ve actually consumed,” he said.

The bill is heading to the governor’s desk two days before the deadline he imposed on the Florida’s Legislature earlier this year.

TRENDING: 

• Jacksonville family shares daughter's 9 month diagnosis of rare disease
• St. Johns County School Board approves new class hours for next school year
• Signing Nick Foles momentous day in Jaguars history
• Jacksonville woman turns $20 into $1 million playing Florida Lottery
• "I'm not talking:" Action News Jax confronts St. Johns County sextortion suspect

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

Cox Media Group