Florida To Award 22 New Cannabis Licenses After 18-Month Wait—Legal Battles Ahead?
Florida’s Department of Health announced plans to award 22 new medical cannabis licenses, a decision that could reshape the state’s cannabis industry but is likely to face legal challenges.
The announcement, posted Tuesday on the agency’s website (via Tallahassee Democrat), comes more than 18 months after applications closed in April 2023.
The new licenses are a result of a 2017 law mandating an increase in licenses as the number of medical marijuana patients grows, which now surpasses 880,000. This process has attracted significant attention since it marks the first chance for new businesses to enter Florida’s medical cannabis market since the law’s enactment.
The department’s letters of intent signal approval for 22 businesses out of the 74 that applied last year, each paying a $143,000 application fee. The evaluation process, carried out by consulting firm KPMG, cost the state nearly $1.79 million. However, the letters do not grant immediate operating licenses, leaving room for legal action from applicants who were not selected.
Anticipated Legal Battles
Legal disputes are expected to delay the process, …