SB 1250 - Medical Cannabis Summary

• Establishes the "Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act" to authorize qualified patients with specified medical conditions to possess and use medical cannabis under physician recommendation with a state registry identification card.

• Creates a licensing system for medical cannabis farms (permitted by Department of Business and Professional Regulation) and dispensaries (licensed by DBPR) to cultivate, manufacture, and distribute medical cannabis to qualified patients.

• Limits qualifying patients and caregivers to possess maximum of 4 ounces of dried cannabis, 8 mature plants, or 8 immature plants; prohibits use in public places or while operating vehicles unless hair testing shows levels below specified thresholds.

• Provides legal protections including immunity from arrest and prosecution for registered patients, caregivers, and physicians recommending medical cannabis in compliance with the act; prohibits schools and employers from penalizing cardholders solely for their status.

• Requires the Department of Health, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and Department of Revenue to adopt implementing rules by October 1, 2013, with fees collected to offset administrative costs.