First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens In Florida

July 27, 2016

Florida first legal medical-marijuana dispensary formally opened Tuesday in a Tallahassee storefront, a week after the company known as Trulieve received state approval to begin selling a type of non-euphoric cannabis.

A 2014 law allows the company to sell low-THC cannabis oil to patients who suffer from cancer, chronic muscle spasms and seizures.

Another law, passed during the most recent legislative session, allows terminally ill patients to use full-strength marijuana.

“When I say it is an historic and momentous day, it really is,” Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said during a packed news conference at the store Tuesday. “We are really overwhelmed and so proud to be this pioneer.”

The company plans to open a Northwest Florida location in Pensacola.

So far, one issue facing patients who want to get legal weed is finding doctors who will sign off on the treatment. As of last week, only 15 doctors had signed up to order the low-THC products.

While lawmakers gave approval in 2014, a series of legal battles has delayed the cannabis from becoming available to patients.

by The News Service of Florida and NorthEscambia.com

Pictured top: Trulieve’s Tallahassee location opened Tuesday. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

13 Responses to “First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens In Florida”

  1. john on August 1st, 2016 7:19 am

    @Sandra Tucker

    Matthew, 7:17 – Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

    Matthew, 7:18 – A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

    First of all, there is a reason marijuana used to be called “ditch weed” because that’s exactly what it is “weeds” with certain chemical properties, it is not a Tree. I can always tell when someone never reads the Bible, and then tries to use it to appeal to a certain crowd, God’s word does state he gave dominion of all plant life to us for our use, but not all of it I usable. Yes marijuana my be beneficial in some medical capacity, and I don’t think most Christians have a problem with that, it is the abuse crowd that comes in under the guise of “Medical Necessity” that taints the waters.

    If medical marijuana were so beneficial, why isn’t the medical community pushing for them, and only law makers.

    And if someone is drying, morphine will probably do a lot better job than ditch weed to aid in their comfort.

    But if a person gets high on the stuff and causes hurt to a loved one, like a driving accident, then there should be grave consequences.

  2. Sandra Tucker on July 29th, 2016 1:40 pm

    Genesis1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

  3. molinoman on July 28th, 2016 11:07 am

    It should be legal and everywhere, not a 4h drive. Their selection looks horrible too. It’s all still bull flop. It has taken nearly 4 years to get this one place opened. Because everyone had to figure out how they where getting their cut of it, like a bunch of suit and tie dope dealers. Why can’t those who are ill and qualify grow their own? Is that too much to ask? 6 Plants per household like Colorado. This is a plant God put on this Earth with many health benefits and from which no one dies from. Get with it Florida, jeez.

  4. mike on July 28th, 2016 3:22 am

    cool, legal weed. all u gotta do is be dying. the rest that have chronic (no pun intended) pain, here, this useless variety is for you. docs are afraid to prescribe pain meds that work anymore, thanx pillbillies & dopeheads. there will be very few docs that will mess with mm, esp the mm that actually does anything. :(

  5. Marsha on July 27th, 2016 7:32 pm

    My nephew was diagnosed with cancer 4years ago with only 6 months to live…I’m happy to say with God and MEDICAL marijuana he is and has been in remission for 3years

  6. Donna on July 27th, 2016 12:18 pm

    How do we find Dr in Pensacola who will write Rx for chronic pain, glaucoma,PTSD along with other issues? Thank you.

  7. EMD on July 27th, 2016 10:13 am

    Now that young man that has had seizures all hie life might get some help. Thanks to those responsible.

  8. Çatlady on July 27th, 2016 9:30 am

    Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a plant that could cure cancer, help with pain, seizures and anxiety with none of the nasty side effects of all the “medications” and it could be grown almost anywhere by almost anyone, without the fear of going to jail? Hmm mmmmm

  9. Finally! on July 27th, 2016 7:31 am

    It’s about time! This is a move in the right direction! Before people decided to look at this negatively, look at Colorado! They have done amazing with the medical and recreational cannabis legalization. As someone that suffers from PTSD, Anxiety, and chronic pain, (All service connected) I will be one of the first in line, pending the outcome of the November 8th vote! (Vote yes for Amendment 2!)

  10. Bob on July 27th, 2016 7:30 am

    @mom “God help us all”

    From what a LEGAL marijuana dispensary? If so my question is whats the difference between this and a pharmacy?

  11. BT on July 27th, 2016 7:27 am

    Yes, God help us all…by providing us with a natural remedy that eases suffering.

  12. Grandmother on July 27th, 2016 7:26 am

    Finally patients with certain medical conditions can legally get the marijuana to help them. We have a granddaughter with epilepsy. It would be wonderful if she could be prescribed this and become seizure free.
    I don’t know why it took so long to get this available for patients that could use it. After all a lot of medications are made from plants. Maybe one day it will be available from our pharmacies like other medications make from plants.

  13. Mom on July 27th, 2016 6:49 am

    God help us all!