Florida Republican Initiative on THC Regulation Fizzles Out

A recent endeavor by Florida’s GOP to implement restrictions on THC potency in marijuana seems to have dissipated during the state’s legislative session.

Florida Republican lawmakers put forth two bills, House Bill 1269 and Senate Bill 7050, aiming to prohibit access to cannabis flower products containing more than 30 percent THC, as per NORML.

Although recreational marijuana for adults remains unlawful in Florida, voters in the state might have the chance to alter this in the upcoming November election.

The fate of a proposed amendment seeking to legalize cannabis for adults aged 21 and above in Florida now rests with the Florida Supreme Court, awaiting a ruling on its qualification for this year’s ballot.

However, as the legislative session nears its end for the year, the proposed bills seem to have lost momentum.

According to reports from Florida Politics, a crucial legislative committee failed to prioritize the THC cap proposals on its agenda. With the committee’s final meeting scheduled for Tuesday, it appears that the THC cap proposals won’t progress to the Senate floor.

Advocates supporting the potential ballot proposal welcomed the demise of the measures.

Steve Vancore, a spokesperson for medical cannabis provider Trulieve, expressed satisfaction, stating, “We are pleased the voters may have an opportunity to vote on adult use prior to potential implementation language being decided on,” as quoted by Florida Politics.

NORML vehemently opposed the THC caps, urging Florida lawmakers in over 2,000 letters during the legislative session not to hinder the adult-use cannabis market before Floridians could vote on it.

Paul Armentano, NORML’s Deputy Director, emphasized in a letter to the editor published in the Boston Globe this month, “Unlike alcohol, THC is incapable of causing lethal overdose in humans.” Armentano argued against the prohibition of high-THC products, advocating for better safety information instead.

The Spacecoast Rocket provided further insight into the legislative effort to cap THC, highlighting the hurdles faced by SB 7050 and its eventual suspension due to the lack of advancement in committee meetings.

The Florida Supreme Court has until April 1 to rule on the proposed adult-use marijuana amendment, with oral arguments presented last November.

The amendment faces opposition from state Attorney General Ashley Moody, who filed a lawsuit in May 2023 to block it, arguing that the proposed ballot language was unclear and did not adhere to a single subject requirement.

USA Today Network reported on the arguments presented before the Supreme Court, noting that the justices seemed to lean towards favoring the amendment.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis anticipated the court’s approval of the amendment last month, potentially paving the way for its inclusion on the November ballot.