Florida Takes Another Stab at CBD Regulations

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Florida officials will begin trying to recraft regulations on the production and sale of CBD-based medications, pushing out the opening of the state’s first dispensaries past the initial January target date.

Tuesday marks the first public workshop on the issue after a judge forced the state to scrap a lottery system it initially planned to use to award licenses. The judge said licenses should be granted based on an evaluation of applicants – not by chance – and that companies can’t pair up with others to become eligible for a permit.

How many meetings it takes to actually determine final regulations remains to be seen, and it’s unclear when dispensaries will open.

New rules will change the selection process and govern where the five companies chosen to grow, process and cultivate non-euphoric marijuana will be able to locate their businesses.

State legislators will hold committee meetings in January and no doubt discuss any suggested rules.

The revised rules could help the overall legalization effort in Florida: Crafting responsible laws governing high-CBD marijuana may lead to easier adoption of broader medical cannabis laws, the Tampa Bay Times said in an editorial.

A ballot initiative in November that would’ve legalized medical marijuana in general in the state narrowly failed, falling just shy of the 60% voter approval needed for passage. Advocates have said they’re redoubling efforts to put the initiative before voters again in 2016. Lawmakers could also attempt to pass an MMJ measure in 2015.