Florida governor bans medical cannabis in nursing homes

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that prevents residents of care facilities from consuming medical cannabis. This ban applies even if the cannabis has been prescribed by a doctor.

This decision follows DeSantis' confession last week that he would not would not decriminalize cannabis at the federal level if he were to win the 2024 presidential election. He explained that cannabis could be harmful, that it was possible it could contain fentanyl, and that people «could die just by ingesting it,» despite the testing done on cannabis products in regulated markets.

The bill signed by DeSantis last week – SB 210 – concerning substance abuse services, will require anyone seeking a license to operate a recovery center to prove they do not permit the use of medically prescribed or adult-use cannabis.

Moreover, DeSantis also vetoed the passage of a criminal justice reform bill – House Bill 605 – which would have modified the state’s expungement law, despite the announcement of Biden regarding the expungement of criminal records related to cannabis.

The governor separately signed another law this month that allows doctors to renew medical cannabis recommendations to patients through telehealth and also takes steps to promote the participation of Black farmers in the state's medical cannabis program.

In parallel, a petition launched in Florida – where adult use is still illegal – in favor of legalizing adult cannabis use collected enough signatures to be put to a vote.