With the passing of Amendment 2 in Florida, more people can legally access medical marijuana. Although many are supportive of the use of this substance to treat certain ailments and health conditions, there are still many people who are against it. This opposition continues to slow down the integration rate of medical marijuana into the state’s economy. However, there are other factors that have not yet come into play that may also impact the industry. Here is what you should know about the implications of this legislation.
Better grade of product
Legalization means approved dispensaries can produce the substance in accordance with state and federal regulations without fear of repercussion. Federal law has certain standards in place to ensure that better quality marijuana is created, leaving less room for contamination and ineffective products. It also regulates the amount of THC and cannabidiol content in every product sold. Also, higher potency products are now legal.
Taxes
The state still has not figured out how it will regulate taxes in the industry. Medical marijuana is a big revenue generator as evidenced in other states like Colorado. Taxes can help generate much-needed revenue for the state and improve the local economy. Careful planning must take place to ensure that medical marijuana remains affordable and accessible to patients. Awareness and encouragement are also needed to increase the number of marijuana-certified physicians that are available.
Easier access
Previously, medical marijuana legislation only allowed certain terminally ill and debilitated patients to access the substance. This access had stipulations in place that made it time-consuming and challenging for many of these people to get approved for medical marijuana use. Now that Amendment 2 is in place, access is less restricted and the terms of use are a bit more flexible. Since many people who are seeking medical marijuana for treatment suffer from serious and severe conditions, better regulation is needed to shorten the time frame for application approvals and denials.
While there is greater flexibility in how medical marijuana can be accessed and used, home cultivation is still illegal. Some cities have put bans in place to keep qualified people from obtaining it because the implications of medical marijuana legalization are not entirely clear just yet.
There is still much work that needs to be done to help regulate the industry. If you or a loved one require the use of medical marijuana and you have questions about how it can affect your situation, you should speak with an attorney who specializes in the matter.