A bill allowing creation of a framework through which non-euphoric medical marijuana can be legally distributed to children suffering debilitating seizures passed the state Senate Monday by a 36-3 vote.
State Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has championed similar legislation in the Florida House, called the vote “a monumental moment.”
“This is a great step forward,” he said.
Given the overwhelming support of the Senate, Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, announced plans to introduce an amendment to his House bill.
It would expand coverage under the medical marijuana treatment to adults suffering some forms of cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, ALS, multiple sclerosis and post traumatic stress disorder, he said.
The amendment could be added to the bill and passed on to the governor without further Senate action, said state Senate President Don Gaetz.
The strain of marijuana that would be legalized if the legislation gets the approval of the House and governor is CBD, sometimes referred to as Charlotte’s Web.
While not producing the buzz pot smokers crave, CBD has been grown and successfully used to treat children who suffer from seizures, sometimes daily, caused by epilepsy.
Florida’s CBD marijuana would be processed into an oil extract and administered by placing a droplet under the tongue, a Senate news release said.
The Senate bill passed Monday would create four state dispensaries for the marijuana and a “compassionate use registry for patients,” Matt Gaetz said.
Don Gaetz supported the bill passed Monday.
“Low-THC cannabis has the ability to change the lives of Florida children who suffer everyday with several neurological conditions like epilepsy,” he said in a news release. “Currently, families are being forced to move to other states or face legal jeopardy in order to get treatment for their children.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Tom McLaughlin at 850-315-4435 or tmclaughlin@nwfdailynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomMnwfdn.
Medical marijuana OK a 'monumental moment' for Gaetz
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