Florida House and Senate Back Limited Use Medical Marijuana Bill
Friday, May 2, 2014
By: Carmel Delshad

May 2, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando - The push to legalize some forms of medical marijuana is gaining traction after a bill moved through both the Florida House and Senate this week.

The bill would allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana to patients who suffer from epilepsy, seizures or severe muscle spasms.

The strain of marijuana in the bill is known as “Charlotte’s Web.” It has less THC, the ingredient that causes users to feel high, and more of a non-euphoric compound called CBD.

Ben Pollara of United For Care says that while the bill is expected to be signed by Gov. Rick Scott, it won’t help other patients suffering from other diseases:

“It doesn’t go far enough, it doesn’t go as far as Amendment 2 does to provide care for the most number of people, but I think it’s a huge step forward," Pollara says.

United for Care led the initiative to add a medical marijuana amendment to the ballot this fall, gathering over 1 million signatures during a petition drive.

Update: The bill has been amended to reflect cancer patients may be prescribed low-THC medical marijuana for treatment.