The tenets of Florida’s voter-backed expansion of the state’s medical cannabis program are effective today, however the full implementation of the program won’t be seen until the Department of Health and the legislature adopt and implement the program rules, according to an NBC 6 report.
The law, a constitutional amendment passed by 71 percent of voters, permits for high-strength medical cannabis to be used for a more comprehensive list of chronic diseases and ailments including HIV/AIDA, post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease, glaucoma, and Parkinson’s disease.
According to the Department of Health’s Office of Compassionate Use, there are currently 340 registered physicians in the state and the agency expects that number to increase significantly during the first quarter of the year. Currently, there are 1,495 registered patients in the state, which is also expected to increase.
Dr. Joseph Dorn, medical director of Surterra Therapeutics, said he is anticipating “a lot of chaos initially” because while the law permits for the expansion “there is still a lot of work to be done.”
“I think the expectations for most people is it is going to be a free-for-all, and all people have to do is get their cards to receive it,” Dorn said in the report.
Five of the seven companies licensed by the state have received official authorization to begin dispensing; however 55 Florida cities have enacted moratoriums restricting or barring dispensaries.
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