While recreational marijuana is still illegal in Naples, there have been a number of interesting developments.
Medical Marijuana on School Campuses
As of early November 2019, the Collier County School District is on the verge of approving a policy that would let students use medical marijuana on school campuses. The deadline for approval is December 31st, and there seems to be a lot of support for the proposed policy.
There is a detailed procedure already in place for students using medical marijuana within the boundaries of school campuses. Only the medical marijuana patient can possess the cannabis while on school premises. The cannabis cannot be stored at school, and it must be administered in a private area at a specific prescribed time by the student’s caregiver.
FDA Warns Companies Selling CBD Products
Two companies that sell CBD products in Naples, FL, recently received official warning letters from the FDA. The letters state that these companies’ products do not contain the levels of cannabidiol that they claim.
One of these companies, Rooted Apothecary, has been marketing CBD products specifically for parents of small children. They claim that parents can use these products to treat colic, earaches, and teething. While a lot of states are not taking a stance against CBD, the FDA has taken a different approach. The Food and Drug Administration has made it clear that these products are not legal on a federal level.
Back in June, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will make it legal for businesses to sell hemp-derived CBD products. The only stipulation is that these products must contain 0.3% THC or less.
The main point of contention here is that these two companies are marketing their CBD products in a way that is illegal by federal standards.
Banning Marijuana in State Parks
The proposed SB 670 bill would ban smoking or vaping cannabis in any Florida state parks. This includes Delnor-Wiggins State Park and Collier-Seminole State Park, which are located in Naples.
If this bill passes, violators would have to pay a $25 fine or submit to ten hour of community service.
Decreasing Minimum Sentences for Cannabis-Related Crimes
House bill HB 339 would make it possible for Florida judges to ignore minimum sentencing requirements for cannabis-related crimes. There are many people who support the bill, stating that it will help the state to save a lot of money. It would also prevent families from being split up over relatively minor crimes.
Reducing Penalties for Cannabis-Related Crimes
Proposed bill HB 25 would reduce sentences for certain cannabis-related crimes. It would also mean that juveniles who violate cannabis laws could receive a civil citation or be referred to a diversion program.
Proponents of this bill expect it to decrease the number of minority citizens in Florida who are put in jail due to marijuana possession.
Those who are caught in possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis could be charged with a non-criminal violation as opposed to a misdemeanor. The sentences and fines for these crimes would likely be reduced considerably.
State Representative Shevrin Jones publicly spoke out supporting the bill, stating that Florida needs to begin reforming its cannabis laws.
Increasing Number of Medical Marijuana Businesses
Proposed bill SB 212 would modify the specifics of how Florida defines edibles and cannabis products with low levels of THC. This means that it would make it easier for medical marijuana patients to obtain these products all over the state. There would, however, be a number of requirements that dispensaries would have to abide by.
One of the most important things about this bill is that it could make it illegal for any caregivers or doctors to have a vested financial interest in cannabis retail businesses. This would greatly benefit medicinal marijuana patients by almost certainly lowering prices.
If this bill passes, Florida will start handing out licenses to medical marijuana retailers in August of 2020. These retail facilities would have to get these products from just one treatment center within the state. In other words, they won’t be able to make their own products.
Changing the Definition of Marijuana Treatment Centers
The proposed bill HB 149 would redefine what exactly “medical marijuana treatment center” means. If it passed, the current limits on how many applicants can receive licenses would be thrown out. The laws currently state that each licensee can have a maximum of 25 treatment facilities.