Anger and confusion
The logic behind the bill is unclear, even after it was explained by Rodrigues himself. But the gist of it seems to be that Rodrigues was concerned by a recent sensationalist news report based on a study that suggested routinely smoking “high-potency” cannabis could lead to psychosis.
The study looked only at those suffering from psychosis and then worked
Notably, Rodrigues’ proposed bill only targets smokable cannabis flower, which was just recently legalized. It ignores products like concentrates, distillates, and vape cartridges which can top out at 95% THC.
Combining these factors makes Rodrigues’ bill look rather disingenuous. If the concern isn’t access to high levels of THC, and the bill’s timing coincided with the legalization of flower as well as the publishing of a vague, easily-cherrypicked study, then the only logical conclusion is that Rodrigues and his bill’s supporters are simply trying to impose restrictions on cannabis flower specifically.
If the bill were to pass, dispensaries would be left with pounds of unusable cannabis flower as they worked to cultivate less potent flower. And patients would be left with more delays and more interference from state politicians.
So far, multiple dispensaries have spoken out against the bill, as has state agriculture commissioner Nikki Fried. And even if the bill passes the House, it faces an uphill battle in the Senate and the possibility of a veto from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has become an unlikely ally to the medical cannabis community.
So for now, toke up and rest easy, as it looks like this latest round of political fuckery will soon be put to bed.