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Medical Marijuana Policy Reform Reaches Florida: A Scoping Review, Khadesia Howell, Alexandria Washington, Paula M. Williams, Arlesia L. Mathis, John S. Luque

Florida Public Health Review

Background: Florida became the first state in the U.S. South to legalize the use of medical marijuana to treat a variety of health conditions including chronic pain, epilepsy, and spasticity symptoms from multiple sclerosis. While there are over 200,000 medical marijuana patients in Florida, there remain financial, psychological, and insurance coverage barriers which reduce access for many patients. Purpose: This scoping review, with a focus on state health policy, first describes some clinical studies examining the therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana. Next, there is a discussion of the Florida regulatory environment and major legislation. Also, the review describes how the …