Florida
Florida Leads the Country with Indoor Marijuana Grow Busts
Most people probably picture California or Colorado when they think of marijuana in the United States. With approximately one million legal medical marijuana cardholders between the two states, one would not be incorrect to associate cannabis with the two regions. Another state making the news for its marijuana culture is Florida, however the Sunshine State does not permit legal use of cannabis.
The annual National Drug Threat Assessment report was released earlier this year by the United States Department of Justice. In fact, Florida now holds the title as the number one state for indoor marijuana growing busts. Perhaps that is not a title they were seeking, but it may push the state toward a real conversation about marijuana reform. Police have voiced their frustration with detecting the grow operations, as they are far less detectable indoors.
Florida politics have created a very aggressive anti marijuana stance. However, there have been new resolutions recently proposed in Florida’s legislature, although many political analysts are not confident they will survive the debate by Florida lawmakers. The greater point is that clearly there is a split on how the public views marijuana in Florida. Demand seems to be very high in Florida, despite marijuana not being granted legal acceptance.
Many critics will point to the confiscations as an indication that marijuana use is on the rise. While this may be true, there may be other reasons for this increase. A leading marijuana lawyer in Florida, Mark S. Germain, stated that growers have moved operations indoors after the passing of the Marijuana Grow House Eradication Act, which greatly increased growing and cultivation penalties. So while Florida may have a title they could do without, it remains to be seen if there truly is more marijuana being grown. It seems possible that with stricter laws growers are making sure not to be seen in the open. In the end, if they are embarrassed by such a statistic, they may in fact want to consider adopting the medical marijuana legislation sitting on their lap.
Medical Marijuana Industry News November 25, 2011
Proposed Medical Marijuana Legislation Sits in Both Chambers of Florida Government
Following up Jeff Clemens Florida House Resolution 353, Sen. Larcenia Bullard introduced Senate Joint Resolution 1028 several days ago. The potential for legal medical marijuana in Florida is still low because three fifths approval of the Florida legislature is required for the issue to hit the ballots. Passage of these laws would result in protection from prosecution for patients, caregivers, and physicians. Patients with children would be protected and not risk custody loss unless their behavior creates “an unreasonable danger”. The battle appears to be a tough one for advocates to win as they are currently 600,000 signatures short of getting it on the ballot, even if they were to survive the legislative process.
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Marijuana Vanity Plate Not a Hit with Nebraska Government
A resident in Nebraska was trying to promote something a little different than what is usually on a vanity license plate. Frank Shoemaker was not interested in a Cornhusker or other sports team vanity plate. He requested “NE 420”. Shoemaker is leading a petition drive toward a ballot measure that would legalize marijuana. The director of the DMV, Beverly Neth, felt that it was promoting the use of a drug that is illegal in Nebraska and refused to issue the plate. The ACLU threatened to sue Nebraska’s Department of Motor Vehicle on the grounds that Shoemaker’s free speech was being compromised. Nebraska ACLU director Amy Miller stated “It’s purely political speech relating to a current ballot initiative. ” The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has previously ruled that license plates are an appropriate place for personal expression. The Nebraska DMV has since relented and granted Shoemaker the license plate.