Florida Senate - 2025                        COMMITTEE AMENDMENT
       Bill No. CS for CS for SB 1270
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì649992[Î649992                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
                  Comm: RCS            .                                
                  04/21/2025           .                                
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       The Committee on Rules (Collins) recommended the following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment 
    2  
    3         Delete lines 365 - 784
    4  and insert:
    5  an agreement, or a contract.
    6         b.“Owner” means any person who owns or controls a 5
    7  percent or greater share of interests of the applicant or a
    8  medical marijuana treatment center which include beneficial or
    9  voting rights to interests. In the event that one person owns a
   10  beneficial right to interests and another person holds the
   11  voting rights with respect to such interests, then in such case,
   12  both are considered the owner of such interests.
   13         9. The employment of a medical director to supervise the
   14  activities of the medical marijuana treatment center.
   15         10. A diversity plan that promotes and ensures the
   16  involvement of minority persons and minority business
   17  enterprises, as defined in s. 288.703, or veteran business
   18  enterprises, as defined in s. 295.187, in ownership, management,
   19  and employment. An applicant for licensure renewal must show the
   20  effectiveness of the diversity plan by including the following
   21  with his or her application for renewal:
   22         a. Representation of minority persons and veterans in the
   23  medical marijuana treatment center’s workforce;
   24         b. Efforts to recruit minority persons and veterans for
   25  employment; and
   26         c. A record of contracts for services with minority
   27  business enterprises and veteran business enterprises.
   28         (e) A licensed medical marijuana treatment center shall
   29  cultivate, process, transport, and dispense marijuana for
   30  medical use. A licensed medical marijuana treatment center may
   31  not contract for services directly related to the cultivation,
   32  processing, and dispensing of marijuana or marijuana delivery
   33  devices, except that a medical marijuana treatment center
   34  licensed pursuant to subparagraph (a)1. may contract with a
   35  single entity for the cultivation, processing, transporting, and
   36  dispensing of marijuana and marijuana delivery devices. A
   37  licensed medical marijuana treatment center shall must, at all
   38  times, maintain compliance with the criteria demonstrated and
   39  representations made in the initial application and the criteria
   40  established in this subsection. Upon request, the department may
   41  grant a medical marijuana treatment center a variance from the
   42  representations made in the initial application. Consideration
   43  of such a request must shall be based upon the individual facts
   44  and circumstances surrounding the request. A variance may not be
   45  granted unless the requesting medical marijuana treatment center
   46  can demonstrate to the department that it has a proposed
   47  alternative to the specific representation made in its
   48  application which fulfills the same or a similar purpose as the
   49  specific representation in a way that the department can
   50  reasonably determine will not be a lower standard than the
   51  specific representation in the application. A variance may not
   52  be granted from the requirements in subparagraph 2. and
   53  subparagraphs (b)1. and 2.
   54         1. A licensed medical marijuana treatment center may
   55  transfer ownership to an individual or entity who meets the
   56  requirements of this section. A publicly traded corporation or
   57  publicly traded company that meets the requirements of this
   58  section is not precluded from ownership of a medical marijuana
   59  treatment center. To accommodate a change in ownership:
   60         a. The licensed medical marijuana treatment center shall
   61  notify the department in writing at least 60 days before the
   62  anticipated date of the change of ownership.
   63         b. The individual or entity applying for initial licensure
   64  due to a change of ownership must submit an application that
   65  must be received by the department at least 60 days before the
   66  date of change of ownership.
   67         c. Upon receipt of an application for a license, the
   68  department shall examine the application and, within 30 days
   69  after receipt, notify the applicant in writing of any apparent
   70  errors or omissions and request any additional information
   71  required.
   72         d. Requested information omitted from an application for
   73  licensure must be filed with the department within 21 days after
   74  the department’s request for omitted information or the
   75  application will shall be deemed incomplete and shall be
   76  withdrawn from further consideration and the fees shall be
   77  forfeited.
   78         e. Within 30 days after the receipt of a complete
   79  application, the department shall approve or deny the
   80  application.
   81         2. A medical marijuana treatment center, and any individual
   82  or entity who directly or indirectly owns, controls, or holds
   83  with power to vote 5 percent or more of the voting shares of a
   84  medical marijuana treatment center, may not acquire direct or
   85  indirect ownership or control of any voting shares or other form
   86  of ownership of any other medical marijuana treatment center.
   87         3. A medical marijuana treatment center may not enter into
   88  any form of profit-sharing arrangement with the property owner
   89  or lessor of any of its facilities where cultivation,
   90  processing, storing, or dispensing of marijuana and marijuana
   91  delivery devices occurs.
   92         4. All employees of a medical marijuana treatment center
   93  must be 21 years of age or older and have passed a background
   94  screening pursuant to subsection (9). As used in this
   95  subparagraph, the term “employee” means any person employed by a
   96  medical marijuana treatment center licensee in any capacity,
   97  including those whose duties involve any aspect of the
   98  cultivation, processing, transportation, or dispensing of
   99  marijuana. This requirement applies to all employees, regardless
  100  of the compensation received.
  101         5. Each medical marijuana treatment center must adopt and
  102  enforce policies and procedures to ensure employees and
  103  volunteers receive training on the legal requirements to
  104  dispense marijuana to qualified patients.
  105         6. When growing marijuana, a medical marijuana treatment
  106  center:
  107         a. May use pesticides determined by the department, after
  108  consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
  109  Services, to be safely applied to plants intended for human
  110  consumption, but may not use pesticides designated as
  111  restricted-use pesticides pursuant to s. 487.042.
  112         b. Must grow marijuana within an enclosed structure and in
  113  a room separate from any other plant.
  114         c. Must inspect seeds and growing plants for plant pests
  115  that endanger or threaten the horticultural and agricultural
  116  interests of the state in accordance with chapter 581 and any
  117  rules adopted thereunder.
  118         d. Must perform fumigation or treatment of plants, or
  119  remove and destroy infested or infected plants, in accordance
  120  with chapter 581 and any rules adopted thereunder.
  121         7. Each medical marijuana treatment center must produce and
  122  make available for purchase at least one low-THC cannabis
  123  product.
  124         8. A medical marijuana treatment center that produces
  125  edibles must hold a permit to operate as a food establishment
  126  pursuant to chapter 500, the Florida Food Safety Act, and must
  127  comply with all the requirements for food establishments
  128  pursuant to chapter 500 and any rules adopted thereunder.
  129  Edibles may not contain more than 200 milligrams of
  130  tetrahydrocannabinol, and a single serving portion of an edible
  131  may not exceed 10 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol. Edibles
  132  may not have a potency variance of no greater than 15 percent.
  133  Marijuana products, including edibles, may not be attractive to
  134  children; be manufactured in the shape of humans, cartoons, or
  135  animals; be manufactured in a form that bears any reasonable
  136  resemblance to products available for consumption as
  137  commercially available candy; or contain any color additives. To
  138  discourage consumption of edibles by children, the department
  139  shall determine by rule any shapes, forms, and ingredients
  140  allowed and prohibited for edibles. Medical marijuana treatment
  141  centers may not begin processing or dispensing edibles until
  142  after the effective date of the rule. The department shall also
  143  adopt sanitation rules providing the standards and requirements
  144  for the storage, display, or dispensing of edibles.
  145         9. Within 12 months after licensure, a medical marijuana
  146  treatment center must demonstrate to the department that all of
  147  its processing facilities have passed a Food Safety Good
  148  Manufacturing Practices, such as Global Food Safety Initiative
  149  or equivalent, inspection by a nationally accredited certifying
  150  body. A medical marijuana treatment center must immediately stop
  151  processing at any facility which fails to pass this inspection
  152  until it demonstrates to the department that such facility has
  153  met this requirement.
  154         10. A medical marijuana treatment center that produces
  155  prerolled marijuana cigarettes may not use wrapping paper made
  156  with tobacco or hemp.
  157         11. When processing marijuana, a medical marijuana
  158  treatment center must:
  159         a. Process the marijuana within an enclosed structure and
  160  in a room separate from other plants or products.
  161         b. Comply with department rules when processing marijuana
  162  with hydrocarbon solvents or other solvents or gases exhibiting
  163  potential toxicity to humans. The department shall determine by
  164  rule the requirements for medical marijuana treatment centers to
  165  use such solvents or gases exhibiting potential toxicity to
  166  humans.
  167         c. Comply with federal and state laws and regulations and
  168  department rules for solid and liquid wastes. The department
  169  shall determine by rule procedures for the storage, handling,
  170  transportation, management, and disposal of solid and liquid
  171  waste generated during marijuana production and processing. The
  172  Department of Environmental Protection shall assist the
  173  department in developing such rules.
  174         d. Test the processed marijuana using a medical marijuana
  175  testing laboratory before it is dispensed. Results must be
  176  verified and signed by two medical marijuana treatment center
  177  employees. Before dispensing, the medical marijuana treatment
  178  center must determine that the test results indicate that low
  179  THC cannabis meets the definition of low-THC cannabis, the
  180  concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol meets the potency
  181  requirements of this section, the labeling of the concentration
  182  of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol is accurate, and all
  183  marijuana is safe for human consumption and free from
  184  contaminants that are unsafe for human consumption. The
  185  department shall determine by rule which contaminants must be
  186  tested for and the maximum levels of each contaminant which are
  187  safe for human consumption. The Department of Agriculture and
  188  Consumer Services shall assist the department in developing the
  189  testing requirements for contaminants that are unsafe for human
  190  consumption in edibles. The department shall also determine by
  191  rule the procedures for the treatment of marijuana that fails to
  192  meet the testing requirements of this section, s. 381.988, or
  193  department rule. The department may select samples of marijuana
  194  from a medical marijuana treatment center facility which shall
  195  be tested by the department to determine whether the marijuana
  196  meets the potency requirements of this section, is safe for
  197  human consumption, and is accurately labeled with the
  198  tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol concentration or to verify
  199  the result of marijuana testing conducted by a marijuana testing
  200  laboratory. The department may also select samples of marijuana
  201  delivery devices from a medical marijuana treatment center to
  202  determine whether the marijuana delivery device is safe for use
  203  by qualified patients. A medical marijuana treatment center may
  204  not require payment from the department for the sample. A
  205  medical marijuana treatment center must recall marijuana,
  206  including all marijuana and marijuana products made from the
  207  same batch of marijuana, that fails to meet the potency
  208  requirements of this section, that is unsafe for human
  209  consumption, or for which the labeling of the
  210  tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol concentration is
  211  inaccurate. The department shall adopt rules to establish
  212  marijuana potency variations of no greater than 15 percent using
  213  negotiated rulemaking pursuant to s. 120.54(2)(d) which accounts
  214  for, but is not limited to, time lapses between testing, testing
  215  methods, testing instruments, and types of marijuana sampled for
  216  testing. The department may not issue any recalls for product
  217  potency as it relates to product labeling before issuing a rule
  218  relating to potency variation standards. A medical marijuana
  219  treatment center must also recall all marijuana delivery devices
  220  determined to be unsafe for use by qualified patients. The
  221  medical marijuana treatment center must retain records of all
  222  testing and samples of each homogeneous batch of marijuana for
  223  at least 9 months. The medical marijuana treatment center must
  224  contract with a marijuana testing laboratory to perform audits
  225  on the medical marijuana treatment center’s standard operating
  226  procedures, testing records, and samples and provide the results
  227  to the department to confirm that the marijuana or low-THC
  228  cannabis meets the requirements of this section and that the
  229  marijuana or low-THC cannabis is safe for human consumption. A
  230  medical marijuana treatment center shall reserve two processed
  231  samples from each batch and retain such samples for at least 9
  232  months for the purpose of such audits. A medical marijuana
  233  treatment center may use a laboratory that has not been
  234  certified by the department under s. 381.988 until such time as
  235  at least one laboratory holds the required certification, but in
  236  no event later than July 1, 2018.
  237         e. Package the marijuana in compliance with the United
  238  States Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970, 15 U.S.C. ss.
  239  1471 et seq.
  240         f. Package the marijuana in a receptacle that has a firmly
  241  affixed and legible label stating the following information:
  242         (I) The marijuana or low-THC cannabis meets the
  243  requirements of sub-subparagraph d.
  244         (II) The name of the medical marijuana treatment center
  245  from which the marijuana originates.
  246         (III) The batch number and harvest number from which the
  247  marijuana originates and the date dispensed.
  248         (IV) The name of the physician who issued the physician
  249  certification.
  250         (V) The name of the patient.
  251         (VI) The product name, if applicable, and dosage form,
  252  including concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol.
  253  The product name may not contain wording commonly associated
  254  with products that are attractive to children or which promote
  255  the recreational use of marijuana.
  256         (VII) The recommended dose.
  257         (VIII) A warning that it is illegal to transfer medical
  258  marijuana to another person.
  259         (IX) A marijuana universal symbol developed by the
  260  department.
  261         12. The medical marijuana treatment center shall include in
  262  each package a patient package insert with information on the
  263  specific product dispensed related to:
  264         a. Clinical pharmacology.
  265         b. Indications and use.
  266         c. Dosage and administration.
  267         d. Dosage forms and strengths.
  268         e. Contraindications.
  269         f. Warnings and precautions.
  270         g. Adverse reactions.
  271         13. In addition to the packaging and labeling requirements
  272  specified in subparagraphs 11. and 12., marijuana in a form for
  273  smoking must be packaged in a sealed receptacle with a legible
  274  and prominent warning to keep away from children and a warning
  275  that states marijuana smoke contains carcinogens and may
  276  negatively affect health. Such receptacles for marijuana in a
  277  form for smoking must be plain, opaque, and white without
  278  depictions of the product or images other than the medical
  279  marijuana treatment center’s department-approved logo and the
  280  marijuana universal symbol.
  281         14. The department shall adopt rules to regulate the types,
  282  appearance, and labeling of marijuana delivery devices dispensed
  283  from a medical marijuana treatment center. The rules must
  284  require marijuana delivery devices to have an appearance
  285  consistent with medical use.
  286         15. Each edible must be individually sealed in plain,
  287  opaque wrapping marked only with the marijuana universal symbol.
  288  Where practical, each edible must be marked with the marijuana
  289  universal symbol. In addition to the packaging and labeling
  290  requirements in subparagraphs 11. and 12., edible receptacles
  291  must be plain, opaque, and white without depictions of the
  292  product or images other than the medical marijuana treatment
  293  center’s department-approved logo and the marijuana universal
  294  symbol. The receptacle must also include a list of all the
  295  edible’s ingredients, storage instructions, an expiration date,
  296  a legible and prominent warning to keep away from children and
  297  pets, and a warning that the edible has not been produced or
  298  inspected pursuant to federal food safety laws.
  299         16. When dispensing marijuana or a marijuana delivery
  300  device, a medical marijuana treatment center:
  301         a. May dispense any active, valid order for low-THC
  302  cannabis, medical cannabis and cannabis delivery devices issued
  303  pursuant to former s. 381.986, Florida Statutes 2016, which was
  304  entered into the medical marijuana use registry before July 1,
  305  2017.
  306         b. May not dispense more than a 70-day supply of marijuana
  307  within any 70-day period to a qualified patient or caregiver.
  308  May not dispense more than one 35-day supply of marijuana in a
  309  form for smoking within any 35-day period to a qualified patient
  310  or caregiver. A 35-day supply of marijuana in a form for smoking
  311  may not exceed 2.5 ounces unless an exception to this amount is
  312  approved by the department pursuant to paragraph (4)(f).
  313         c. Must have the medical marijuana treatment center’s
  314  employee who dispenses the marijuana or a marijuana delivery
  315  device enter into the medical marijuana use registry his or her
  316  name or unique employee identifier.
  317         d. Must verify that the qualified patient and the
  318  caregiver, if applicable, each have an active registration in
  319  the medical marijuana use registry and an active and valid
  320  medical marijuana use registry identification card, the amount
  321  and type of marijuana dispensed matches the physician
  322  certification in the medical marijuana use registry for that
  323  qualified patient, and the physician certification has not
  324  already been filled.
  325         e. May not dispense marijuana to a qualified patient who is
  326  younger than 18 years of age. If the qualified patient is
  327  younger than 18 years of age, marijuana may only be dispensed to
  328  the qualified patient’s caregiver.
  329         f. May not dispense or sell any other type of cannabis,
  330  alcohol, or illicit drug-related product, including pipes or
  331  wrapping papers made with tobacco or hemp, other than a
  332  marijuana delivery device required for the medical use of
  333  marijuana and which is specified in a physician certification.
  334         g. Must, upon dispensing the marijuana or marijuana
  335  delivery device, record in the registry the date, time,
  336  quantity, and form of marijuana dispensed; the type of marijuana
  337  delivery device dispensed; and the name and medical marijuana
  338  use registry identification number of the qualified patient or
  339  caregiver to whom the marijuana delivery device was dispensed.
  340         h. Must ensure that patient records are not visible to
  341  anyone other than the qualified patient, his or her caregiver,
  342  and authorized medical marijuana treatment center employees.
  343         (f) To ensure the safety and security of premises where the
  344  cultivation, processing, storing, or dispensing of marijuana
  345  occurs, and to maintain adequate controls against the diversion,
  346  theft, and loss of marijuana or marijuana delivery devices, a
  347  medical marijuana treatment center shall:
  348         1.a. Maintain a fully operational security alarm system
  349  that secures all entry points and perimeter windows and is
  350  equipped with motion detectors; pressure switches; and duress,
  351  panic, and hold-up alarms; and
  352         b. Maintain a video surveillance system that records
  353  continuously 24 hours a day and meets the following criteria:
  354         (I) Cameras are fixed in a place that allows for the clear
  355  identification of persons and activities in controlled areas of
  356  the premises. Controlled areas include grow rooms, processing
  357  rooms, storage rooms, disposal rooms or areas, and point-of-sale
  358  rooms.
  359         (II) Cameras are fixed in entrances and exits to the
  360  premises, which must shall record from both indoor and outdoor,
  361  or ingress and egress, vantage points.
  362         (III) Recorded images must clearly and accurately display
  363  the time and date.
  364         (IV) Retain video surveillance recordings for at least 45
  365  days or longer upon the request of a law enforcement agency.
  366         2. Ensure that the medical marijuana treatment center’s
  367  outdoor premises have sufficient lighting from dusk until dawn.
  368         3. Ensure that the indoor premises where dispensing occurs
  369  includes a waiting area with sufficient space and seating to
  370  accommodate qualified patients and caregivers and at least one
  371  private consultation area that is isolated from the waiting area
  372  and area where dispensing occurs. A medical marijuana treatment
  373  center may not display products or dispense marijuana or
  374  marijuana delivery devices in the waiting area.
  375         4. Not dispense from its premises marijuana or a marijuana
  376  delivery device between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., but may
  377  perform all other operations and deliver marijuana to qualified
  378  patients 24 hours a day.
  379         5. Store marijuana in a secured, locked room or a vault.
  380         6. Require at least two of its employees, or two employees
  381  of a security agency with whom it contracts, to be on the
  382  premises at all times where cultivation, processing, or storing
  383  of marijuana occurs.
  384         7. Require each employee or contractor to wear a photo
  385  identification badge at all times while on the premises.
  386         8. Require each visitor to wear a visitor pass at all times
  387  while on the premises.
  388         9. Implement an alcohol and drug-free workplace policy.
  389         10. Report to local law enforcement and notify the
  390  department through e-mail within 24 hours after the medical
  391  marijuana treatment center is notified or becomes aware of any
  392  actual or attempted the theft, diversion, or loss of marijuana.
  393         Section 6. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section
  394  381.988, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  395         381.988 Medical marijuana testing laboratories; marijuana
  396  tests conducted by a certified laboratory.—
  397         (1) A person or entity seeking to be a certified marijuana
  398  testing laboratory must:
  399         (d) Require all employees, owners, and managers to submit
  400  to and pass a level 2 background screening pursuant to chapter
  401  435. The department shall deny certification if the person or
  402  entity seeking certification has a disqualifying offense as
  403  provided in s. 435.04 or has an arrest awaiting final
  404  disposition for, has been found guilty of, or has entered a plea
  405  of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication, any
  406  offense listed in chapter 837, chapter 895, or chapter 896 or
  407  similar law of another jurisdiction. Exemptions from
  408  disqualification as provided under s. 435.07 do not apply to
  409  this paragraph.
  410         1. As used in this paragraph, the term:
  411         a.“Employee” means any person whose duties or activities
  412  involve any aspect of regulatory compliance testing or research
  413  and development testing of marijuana for a certified marijuana
  414  testing laboratory, regardless of whether such person is
  415  compensated for his or her work.
  416         b.“Manager” means any person with authority to exercise or
  417  contribute to the operational control, direction, or management
  418  of an applicant or certified marijuana testing laboratory or who
  419  has authority to supervise any employee of an applicant or a
  420  certified marijuana testing laboratory. The term includes an
  421  individual with the power or authority to direct or influence
  422  the direction or operation of an applicant or a certified
  423  marijuana testing laboratory through board membership, an
  424  agreement, or a contract.