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SB 6-A — Public Records/Medical Marijuana Use Registry/Physician Certification for Marijuana and Dispensing/Department of Health
by Senators Bradley and Young
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)
SB 6-A expands the public records exemption for the medical marijuana use registry (registry), formerly the compassionate use registry, to conform its provisions to changes being made to s. 381.986, F.S., regarding the medical use of marijuana by SB 8-A. The bill also protects certain personal identifying information that is held by the Department of Health outside of the registry.
Specifically, the bill makes a qualifying patient’s and a caregiver’s personal identifying information and all personal identifying information pertaining to the physician certification for marijuana held by the department confidential and exempt from public records laws; restricts access to a patient’s diagnosis when a law enforcement agency or medical marijuana treatment center accesses the registry to verify a qualifying patient’s or caregiver’s authorization under s. 381.986, F.S., to use or possess marijuana; and expands access to this confidential information to:
- Practitioners licensed to prescribe prescription drugs for purposes of patient care;
- Department employees for approval of exceptions to marijuana daily dosage limits; and
- The Coalition for Medical Marijuana Research and Education established in s. 1004.4351, F.S.
The bill also extends the open government sunset review date to October 2, 2022, includes the constitutionally required public necessity statement, and makes other conforming changes to provisions amended by SB 8-A.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect on the same date as SB 8-A becomes a law.
Vote: Senate 36-0; House 109-3