Understanding HB 7117, the Bill Proposing to Cap Smokable Flower at 10% THC

Anger and confusion has spread throughout Florida’s medical cannabis community over the introduction of HB 7117, a bill sponsored by Rep. Ray Rodrigues aimed at capping the levels of THC in newly-legalized smokable flower at 10%. The bill was introduced last week and approved by the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday; it will now be subject to a vote by the full state House of Representatives.

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 backwards to probe their cannabis use habits, and it failed to actually establish a firm link between high doses of THC and psychosis. And while THC is known to potentially activate or speed up the onset of psychosis in those already genetically or environmentally predisposed, there remains no indication that otherwise healthy individuals can be rendered into a long-term psychosis by THC alone.

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.