Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Legislation Granting Medical Cannabis Licenses to Black Farmers and Expanding Telehealth Renewals

TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill into law that aims to address longstanding inequities in the state’s medical cannabis industry. The legislation provides medical cannabis cultivation licenses specifically to Black farmers who had previously qualified for the permits but were excluded from the final issuance. Additionally, the law expands telehealth services for medical cannabis patients seeking renewals, as reported by Florida Politics.

In October 2021, Florida received twelve applications from Black farmers seeking licenses to grow medical cannabis. However, only one license was awarded to Terry Gwinn, and its finalization has been delayed due to legal and administrative challenges. The new legislation signed by Governor DeSantis is seen as a significant step towards rectifying this issue and providing justice to Black farmers by granting them the opportunity to participate in the benefits of the medical cannabis industry.

State Senator Darryl Rouson, a Democrat, highlighted the importance of this measure, stating that it goes a long way in ensuring that Black farmers have the opportunity to access the medical benefits of marijuana and share in the industry’s success, which other members have already enjoyed.

The provisions in the legislation regarding Black farmers comply with federal requirements that have been in place since 1999. The aim is to bring fairness to the state’s cannabis production licenses and align with the federal Pigford v. Glickman settlement, which prohibits discrimination against minority farmers by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. State Senator Tracie Davis, also a Democrat, mentioned in an interview with Florida Politics that these licenses could be passed on to the descendants of the original licensees.

Regarding telehealth services, the new law still mandates that physicians conduct in-person physical examinations before initially authorizing a medical cannabis recommendation. However, it allows renewals to be authorized through telehealth services. This provision is expected to enhance accessibility to healthcare for medical cannabis patients across the state.

State Senator Jason Brodeur, a Republican who sponsored the bill in the Senate, expressed his satisfaction with its approval, stating that it marks a significant step forward in improving healthcare accessibility. He believes that this legislation will revolutionize the way patients receive medical cannabis consultations and solidify Florida’s position as a progressive leader in healthcare innovation.

The signing of this legislation represents a crucial milestone in the ongoing efforts to promote equity and inclusivity in Florida’s medical cannabis industry while also leveraging telehealth services to enhance patient access and convenience.