Florida lawmakers have moved to exempt military veterans from the registration fees required for medical marijuana cards. A newly amended bill, known as HB 555, allows veterans to obtain the necessary certifications for free. This change is part of a broader effort to enhance access to medical cannabis for those who have served in the military.
Originally filed in February by Rep. Alex Andrade (R), HB 555 aimed for more extensive modifications to Florida’s medical cannabis program, including provisions for home cultivation and reciprocity for out-of-state patients. However, on Thursday, the House Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee advanced a revised version of the bill that instead focuses on smaller adjustments.
One significant change is the extension of the renewal period for medical marijuana cards, shifting from the current annual renewal to a biannual process. Additionally, the bill specifies that the state “may not charge a fee for the issuance, replacement, or renewal of an identification card for a qualified patient who is a veteran.” Veterans will need to provide their discharge form (DD 214) with their applications to qualify for this waiver.
Rep. Michelle Salzman (R) expressed support for the bill, noting that it is beneficial for both the medical marijuana sector and veterans. Jodi James, from the Florida Cannabis Action Network, shared enthusiasm for making medical cannabis more accessible, especially for veterans on fixed incomes.
The bill’s changes would take effect on July 1 if HB 555 is signed into law. Meanwhile, a separate bill in the Florida Senate has advanced that seeks to restrict hemp-derived cannabinoids. This proposal includes a ban on synthetic cannabinoids, such as delta-8 THC, and limits the amount of delta-9 THC in hemp-derived products to no more than five milligrams per serving or 50 milligrams per container.
Additionally, the Senate bill stipulates that hemp-infused beverages can only contain five milligrams of THC per container and must be sold by retailers with liquor licenses. This provision has garnered support from lobbyists in the beer and wine industries.
In a related development, legislative committees in both the House and Senate have progressed a broad agricultural bill that would make it illegal to possess spores of psychedelic mushrooms. These spores, which do not contain controlled substances, are currently regarded as legal by the federal government.
In another matter, a state judge recently dismissed a lawsuit from the cannabis company Trulieve against the Florida Republican Party. The lawsuit contested the party’s campaign against a failed constitutional amendment to legalize adult-use marijuana, which Trulieve argued was misleading. The judge ruled against the company.
The campaign for legalization, led by Smart and Safe Florida, is already preparing for another attempt next year. They have so far collected over 7,500 valid signatures of the required 891,523 to place the issue on the ballot.
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