Florida Awards 22 Medical Marijuana Licenses

The Florida Department of Health has announced the selection of 22 applicants for new medical marijuana licenses, a decision made almost 18 months after the application process began. This expansion will bring the total number of medical marijuana licenses in the state to 47, following the recent failure of a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational cannabis, which garnered only 56% support. The applicants, who paid a nonrefundable fee of $146,000, will face a potential appeals process that could delay the issuance of licenses for up to a year. Notably, the process has drawn heightened scrutiny due to the involvement of established out-of-state cannabis brands and the potential for litigation from unsuccessful applicants. Governor Ron DeSantis played a significant role in campaigning against recreational marijuana legalization, influencing the recent ballot outcome. The Florida cannabis market remains highly regulated, with strict operational timelines and financial requirements imposed on the new licensees.