The Florida Department of Health has announced plans to award medical marijuana licenses to 22 applicants out of dozens who had applied over a year ago. This decision, posted on the department’s website, could lead to potential legal challenges from unsuccessful applicants. The application process closed in April 2023, with 74 businesses vying for licenses. The selection process was conducted by consulting firm KPMG, at a cost of nearly $1.79 million.
This announcement comes in the wake of a failed constitutional amendment that sought to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis played a key role in blocking the measure from passing, despite receiving support from 56% of voters. Among the successful applicants for medical marijuana licenses is Florida Sports Consultants, Inc. d/b/a Belushi’s Farm Florida, which includes actor Jim Belushi.
The issuance of these licenses is required under a 2017 law aimed at expanding access to medical marijuana for the state’s growing number of eligible patients. With over 880,000 patients currently, the need for additional licenses has become crucial. The new licenses are the first opportunity for newcomers to enter the industry since the 2017 legislation was passed.
Legal challenges are expected from unsuccessful applicants, which could delay the final issuance of licenses for months or even years. Industry experts are hoping that the Florida legislature will intervene to expedite the process, as they have done in the past. Despite the setback of the failed recreational marijuana proposal, industry stakeholders remain optimistic about the future of cannabis legalization in Florida.
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