Despite Governor DeSantis’s recent opposition to recreational marijuana, Florida is moving forward with expanding its medical marijuana program. The Department of Health announced its intent to award 22 new licenses, chosen from 74 applicants who vied for a spot in the state’s growing cannabis industry.
This decision, however, is expected to ignite legal challenges from those who weren’t selected, potentially delaying the final issuance of licenses for months or even years.
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The application period closed in April 2023, and the announcement of the 22 potential licensees comes over 18 months later. Each applicant paid $143,000 for the opportunity, with the state spending nearly $1.8 million on a consulting firm to score the applications.
While the Department of Health expresses confidence in its selection process, spokesperson Jae Williams acknowledges the likelihood of litigation. “Historically, when these sorts of things happen, litigation does occur,” Williams stated. “In this situation, you have 22 people that are very happy and 50 people that are not very happy at all.”
Among the potential licensees is Belushi’s Farm Florida, a team that includes actor Jim Belushi, who also operates a cannabis farm in Oregon. Other winners include a diverse range of companies, from established growers to newcomers hoping to make their mark in the Florida market.
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Industry experts anticipate that the Florida Legislature may intervene to expedite the licensing process, as they have done in the past. Attorney John Lockwood, specializing in cannabis law, noted that “history has shown that the Legislature often gets involved in these issues.”
Without legislative action, the process could be significantly delayed. Paula Savchenko, an attorney and consultant who worked on Belushi’s application, predicts delays of six months to two years if lawmakers don’t step in.
While the announcement brings excitement for the winners, it comes on the heels of the failed Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational marijuana in Florida. Despite DeSantis’s active opposition to the amendment, many in the industry remain optimistic that recreational use will eventually be legalized in the state.
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Trulieve, Florida’s largest medical marijuana operator, expressed support for the expansion of the market and the increased competition.
This latest development in Florida’s cannabis landscape highlights the ongoing tension between expanding access to medical marijuana and the push for full legalization. As legal battles loom and the industry continues to evolve, the future of cannabis in Florida remains uncertain.
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