Florida lawmakers have approved a sweeping health care bill that includes a controversial provision to revoke medical marijuana registrations for individuals convicted of certain drug offenses. Senate Bill 2514 (SB 2514), which covers a wide range of health policy topics including cancer treatment and dentistry, now awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) signature after passing both legislative chambers on Monday.
At the heart of the measure is a clause directing the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to suspend or revoke medical marijuana patient and caregiver registrations if they are charged with or convicted of drug-related crimes. The provision targets individuals involved in trafficking, manufacturing, or distributing controlled substances, as well as those possessing drugs with intent to sell.
Under the revised bill, a patient’s registration would be immediately suspended upon being charged with a state drug crime. The suspension would remain in effect until the legal case is resolved. Depending on the outcome, the DOH may reinstate the registration, extend the suspension, or revoke it entirely.
Importantly, the updated language appears to narrow the scope of the original Senate version, which could have penalized patients for merely purchasing illegal drugs, including personal-use quantities of marijuana. The current text zeroes in on more serious offenses related to drug production and sale.
The legislation also outlines a path for reinstatement. Patients or caregivers may reapply for registration by submitting a notarized statement confirming they have completed all penalties related to the offense, such as incarceration, probation, or community supervision.
It remains unclear whether the new rules would apply only to future convictions or also require a review of existing registrants with past offenses.
The move comes as broader efforts to expand Florida’s medical marijuana program failed during the regular legislative session. Proposals to allow home cultivation, expand qualifying conditions, and protect patients’ rights were all struck down.
Meanwhile, a separate campaign to legalize adult-use marijuana in Florida is gaining traction. Advocacy group Smart & Safe Florida has gathered nearly 380,000 signatures toward placing a new legalization measure on the 2026 ballot, triggering a mandatory legal and financial review.
Read the whole article from MarijuanaMoment here.
