Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending the membership categories for the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board ("MMAB"), to change the at large "consumer advocate" position to an at large "qualified patient advocate" position. (Commissioner Rich)

(Commissioner Geller pulled this item.)

ACTION:  (T-10:55 AM)  Approved.  (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
 
VOTE: 9-0.  Commissioner Geller voted in the affirmative telephonically.

Pursuant to Section 18.5(e) of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, approval by the Board is required prior to the drafting of an Ordinance.

Directs the Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance changing the "consumer advocate" position to a "qualified patient advocate" position.

On September 14, 2017, the Board of County Commissioners ("Board") held a public hearing to consider enactment of an Ordinance creating an MMAB to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board on all matters related to medical marijuana. An amendment was proposed by my Office to add one at large consumer advocate member to the MMAB. Ordinance No. 2017-29 was enacted creating a 12 member MMAB, including an at large consumer advocate.
 
The intent of the consumer advocate position was to represent the interests of persons for whom medical marijuana is ordered and who legally use medical marijuana. Chapter 2017-232, Laws of Florida, defines a "qualified patient" as a person who has been added to the medical marijuana use registry by a qualified physician to receive marijuana or a marijuana delivery device for a medical use and who has a qualified patient identification card. The proposed amendment would provide consistency with the terminology of Chapter 2017-232, Laws of Florida, as codified in Section 381.986, Florida Statutes.