Medical marijuana users risk losing cards under new Florida law

Florida’s medical marijuana users might want to take a deep breath while they still can. A new law could leave nearly a million cardholders high and dry, threatening to suspend or revoke their access to medical cannabis.

The law, SB 2514, was rolled out this month and explains that the state will “suspend the registration of a qualified patient charged with a violation” and “revoke the medical marijuana use registry registration of qualified patients who enter certain pleas or are found guilty of certain drug offenses.”

During an interview with WESH 2 News, local attorney John Morgan said that Gov. Ron DeSantis decided that being against medical marijuana is “really a good thing.” Morgan funded the 2016 campaign to legalize medical marijuana.

He was then challenged by the pharmaceutical industry, which is now experiencing fewer patients buying addictive medications and instead leaning on medical cannabis. He claims that Floridians deserve recreational marijuana.

Morgan notes that massive campaign contributions from Pfizer and big chain pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens have driven the anti-medical cannabis discourse, creating this new law.

“That card is a privilege,” said Evan Power, Republican Party of Florida chair, adding that it comes with responsibilities.

Power believes the new law is an example of how citizens’ rights can be stripped when they violate any other laws. “We don’t want people abusing that medical marijuana process to achieve other goals,” he says, noting the exception of curing illnesses that have been deemed important.

According to WESH news, Dr. Joseph Rosado, a medical marijuana user, “vehemently opposes the new law.” He draws a contrast between how someone being charged for driving under the influence has their driving privileges “quickly restored,” stating, “They’re still eligible to get a driver’s license once that suspension has been lifted. So why penalize and criminalize someone for that?”

Only time will tell how the future will look with the new law, especially whether it would have to be amended if recreational marijuana makes it on the ballot next year and is approved by 60% of Florida voters.