The Florida House Criminal Justice subcommittee voted Wednesday to legalize a strain of marijuana low in psychoactive properties and high in medicinal value called "Charlotte's Web" in other states.
The committee, comprised of some of the House's most conservative members, accepted the proposal by Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation and Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar following testimony from families who have children with chronic epilepsy. The families expressed to the committee their hope for a low-THC and high CBD strain of marijuana discovered by a Colorado family with a daughter named Charlotte. The marijuana has a normal amount of CBD, which can be used to treat seizures.
Bill HB 843 provides those caught with the particular type of marijuana an affirmative defense to avoid prosecution. It also allows $1 million for the development and distribution of the marijuana in Florida. The marijuana would be converted into a liquid form for medical purposes.
Debate over the bill was animated. Rep. Dave Hood, who has a brain cancer diagnosis, claimed the federal government was hiding marijuana's health benefits for his cancer. Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral, said he had made up his mind to oppose the bill, then changed his mind after meeting a family from Fort Lauderdale. Republican Charles Van Zant filed the amendment to raise the allowed THC levels.
"We've got a plant here on God's green earth that's got a stigma to it - but it's got a medical value," Eagle said. "I don't want to look into their eyes and say I'm sorry we can't help you. We need to put the politics aside today and help these families in need."
The Florida Sheriff's Assocation, which fiercely opposes a constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana for medical use in Florida, also supported the bill.
One opposing vote came from Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, who said the bill had "serious problems" and allowed for dispersal of a drug without clinical trials and the sort of research needed to protect patients from harm.
"I can't imagine how desperate you must be and I want to solve this problem for you," she said.
"I really think we need to address this using science," she added, offering a plan for a pilot program. "This bill takes a step in the right direction. It's much better than the original bill but it's not quite there."
Marijuana remains illegal under both Florida and federal law.
