Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance creating a Medical Marijuana Advisory Board whose functions shall include making recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners ("Board") on issues related to medical marijuana industry practices and medical marijuana treatment center permitting and regulation. (Commissioner Bogen)

(Transferred to the Consent Agenda.)

ACTION:  (T-10:35 AM)  Approved.
 
VOTE: 9-0.

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 creating a Medical Marijuana Advisory Board to study medical marijuana industry practices and provide recommendations to the Board on related matters.

On January 3, 2017, Amendment 2 to the Florida Constitution ("Amendment 2") became effective, expanding the types of medical conditions for which licensed physicians may order medical marijuana as a treatment. On June 7, 2017, a medical marijuana bill was filed for consideration by the Florida Legislature during its special Session. The proposed bill amends Chapter 381.986, Florida Statutes, to implement Amendment 2.
 
The proposed Ordinance would create a Medical Marijuana Advisory Board ("MMAB") which, with the cooperation and assistance of the County Administrator, would advise the Board on all matters related to medical marijuana. This would include providing recommendations for improving growing, processing, and selling of medical marijuana operations and services for qualified patients and users of medical marijuana; obtaining information concerning medical marijuana and related matters within Broward County and advising the Board on same; providing recommendations to the Board on regulations and fees related to medical marijuana dispensing organizations; and developing programs to educate the citizens of Broward County as to the benefits and disadvantages of the use of medical marijuana.
 
The membership on the ("MMAB") would consist of 11 members to be appointed by the Board in the following categories: one member who understands the medical marijuana industry outside of Florida and who would initially serve as Chair of the MMAB; one member with an understanding of the educational system and the Broward County School Board; one member with an understanding of law enforcement; two members representing academic institutions with educational interests in Broward County and with appropriate scientific knowledge and experience in issues related to medical marijuana; one member with an understanding of the hospital district in Broward County; two members with an understanding of business and economic development interests in Broward County; one member with an understanding of the State of Florida Department of Health, Broward County; and two at-large members.