Florida Lawmakers Tackle Medical Marijuana Prices, Impose New Taxes and Restrictions on Hemp
Florida lawmakers are working to make medical marijuana more affordable for patients, but they are also introducing new taxes and restrictions on hemp products. A bill that aimed to allow medical marijuana patients to grow their own plants and legalize recreational marijuana has been significantly watered down, focusing instead on reducing costs for patients by requiring them to renew their medical marijuana cards every two years instead of annually, and waiving the $75 renewal fee for veterans.
The bill has gained support from marijuana advocates, who believe it will make medicine more accessible to those on a fixed income, particularly veterans. However, other bills moving through the legislative process are threatening to increase costs on hemp products, which are currently the closest thing to recreational marijuana available in Florida.
Two bills in the House would impose new regulations on hemp products and a 60% wholesale tax on them, similar to the tax on tobacco products. The sponsor of the bills, Representative Michelle Salzman, argues that the tax is necessary to fund the regulation and enforcement of hemp products.
However, marijuana advocates are concerned that the move will send a message that lawmakers are not listening to the majority of Floridians who voted in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana in November. They argue that instead of giving them legalization, lawmakers are essentially imposing prohibition 2.0.
The Florida Senate has not yet taken action on marijuana-related bills, but a bill imposing new regulations on hemp products is set to be voted on soon.
