SB 7066 is the low THC medical marijuana bill filed by Senator Bradley,
R-District 7, which has a requirement where nurseries that have been in business
for at least thirty years are the only ones that can apply for a license to grow
and process the medicine. Earlier this week Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-North Fort
Myers, who sponsored the amendment last year that allowed the requirements
stated, “I thought the ones who’ve been here the longest should be the first in
line”.
This requirement makes it impossible for black farmers to even apply for one
of the five highly sought after licenses- However, the Black Farmers and
Agriculturalists Association is not going to sit idly by while this bill is
pushed through committees.
Last week during the Health Policy Committee meeting members from the
association stood lobbying against the requirement stating the injustices to not
only the black farmer, but the small farmers in Florida. Howard Gunn, an Ocala
farmer and President of the Florida Black Farmers and
Agriculturalists Association said, “We basically would love to get into this
business. We see the profitability. We think the black farmers can somehow make
a better living”
An Amendment to SB 7066 has been filed that will change the requirement. The
Amendment sponsored by Minority Leader, Senator Joyner of District 19, should it
pass, will allow nurseries who have been in business for five consecutive years
to apply for one of the highly sought after licenses.
Right now the Rules Committee is meeting and will vote on the amendment to
change the requirement from thirty years to five. Florida for Care is hopeful
this egregious requirement will no longer exist. “When you see such a large
group of people being marginalized, it’s much easier to understand the injustice
of this rule”, said Dan Rogers, Director of Legislative Affairs, “and let’s face
it, no one wants to be called racist. This requirement is racist- it may not
have been intentional- but there’s no denying the reality.”
The Black Farmers Agriculturalists Association is not going to rely on hope.
They are at the Rules Committee this morning to once again lobby for their right
to apply for a license. “5 years will be a lot better than 30, but I have
constituents with me that believe there should not be any restrictions.” Stated
Howard Gunn. In regards to the overall status of the bill he said, “We are
hopeful the right decision will be made that will help all people and not just
some people. We understand it’s been a long time coming for patients.”
“Florida for Care is about creating a free and robust market- passing this
amendment will bring us closer to that goal.” said Ben Pollara, Executive
Director of Florida for Care.
Florida for
Care will spearhead legislation in March of 2015 in
Tallahassee, setting the standard for what the state’s medical marijuana system
should look like and how it can function most effectively. Such a system must
balance three core principles: first, safe, affordable patient access; second, a
tightly controlled state regulatory structure; and third, a robust, free market
commercial enterprise.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Ben Pollara or
Dan Rogers, please contact Bianca Garza via email at Bianca@floridaforcare.org
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