9:59

AM EDT March 13, 2017 Jordan Ferrell

Legislation for medical cannabis research

filed in Tallahassee
The rst steps towards more research in the eld of medical cannabis
in the Sunshine State were taken recently in Tallahassee.

Florida State Senator Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, led Senate Bill 1472
that, if enacted, would e ectively establish a marijuana research
coalition inside the H. Lee Mo tt Cancer Center and Research Institute
in Tampa, Fla.

With marijuana remaining a Schedule I narcotic at the federal level – in

the same classi cation as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and heroin
– proper funding and permission to perform clinical studies have been
a constant struggle to obtain.

“Right now, there is anecdotal evidence suggesting the positive

bene ts medicinal cannabis can have on patients in certain
circumstances,” Galvano said, “but this legislation will help the State
of Florida advance the science and research around cannabis as a
treatment option for a variety of medical conditions.”

The Senate bill, cited as the “Medicinal Cannabis Research and

Education Act,” would be used to conduct “rigorous scienti c research,
provide education, disseminate research and to guide policy for the
adoption of a statewide policy on ordering and dosing practices for the
medicinal use of cannabis,” as it reads in its current version.

The bill would establish a seven-member research and education

board, all of whom would be appointed by the chief executive o cer at
the H. Lee Mo tt Cancer Center and Research Institute. The members
would serve four-year terms, with the chair being elected by board
members and serving for a total of two years.
“We are excited to partner with Sen. Galvano in support of this
important legislation that will expand the research opportunities
available to medical experts in the state to provide empirical evidence
on the potential bene ts and harms of medical cannabis,” said Mo tt
Cancer Center Director Thomas Sellers.

The board would meet no less than semiannually at the will of the
chair, or vice chair, in the event of an absence or incapacity. Members
of the established board would serve without compensation but have
the option for reimbursement of travel expenses by the coalition.

A marijuana research coalition director, pending approval of the board,

would be responsible for budget oversight, as well as identifying and
prioritizing what types of research would be conducted by the coalition.
Funding for research and experimentation would come from state-
backed grants the director would submit applications for.

A report of research ndings would be submitted annually to the

Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives on February 15. The report would include community
outreach initiatives and the coalition’s plans going forward.

“Florida is a leader in developing innovative health care solutions, and

creating opportunities for researchers in our state to responsibly
inform new medicines and treatment options is a top priority,” said
Galvano.

A piece of companion legislation, House Bill 1177, was led by Florida

State Representative Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, and has since been
referred to the Health Quality Subcommittee in the House. If approved,
the act would take e ect on July 1, 2017.

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