Florida law could strip medical marijuana rights from thousands of patients – Gulf Coast News and Weather
A new Florida law could leave thousands of legal medical marijuana patients without access to the drug they depend on, simply for being charged with a drug-related offense. And now, outrage is growing from both patients and providers who say the state is pulling the rug out from under those who need relief the most.
For Fort Myers resident John Mendez, medical marijuana isn’t just a choice — it’s a necessity.
“You know, it relaxes me, keeps my mind straight, and it’s easier for me to work with,” Mendez said.
He’s had a prescription for three years. But under Senate Bill 2514, which just went into effect, patients like Mendez could have their medical marijuana card suspended or permanently revoked if they face drug-related charges.
“They’re trying to take it away,” he said. “Whoever controls the money can control the law.”
Attorney John Morgan, who championed Florida’s 2016 campaign to legalize medical marijuana, says the issue isn’t just about the law — it’s about who’s behind it.
“DeSantis has decided politically that being against marijuana is a good thing. I think he’s really wrong about it,” Morgan said.
He points to pharmaceutical companies as the driving force behind the crackdown.
“The people who do not want medical marijuana are the people who make OxyContin, Percocet and Xanax — all the poisons,” Morgan said.
But Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power defends the law, calling medical marijuana a privilege, not a right.
“It’s also a place where we don’t want people abusing that medical marijuana process to achieve other goals, other than that healthy remedy for certain illnesses that we’ve deemed important,” Power said.
Medical marijuana prescriber Dr. Barry Gordon says he’s frustrated with the lack of direction on how the law will be enforced.
“So, there’s been no updates from the Office of Medical Marijuana Use or the Department of Health about how they would implement this,” Gordon said. “At what stage would someone have to check for this? Is there going to be a crossing of various registries?”
For now, patients like John Mendez say they’ll keep speaking out.
“I think somebody needs to talk to the state about that,” Mendez said.
The controversy could take a new turn in 2026 if a proposed voter initiative to legalize recreational marijuana makes it to the ballot. If it passes with at least 60 percent support, it could undo many of the restrictions now being put in place.
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