Florida Govenor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill into law that would prevent residents at recovery centres from using medical cannabis. This would apply even if the cannabis has been prescribed by a doctor.

The move follows DeSantis’ admittance last week that he would not deschedule cannabis at the federal level if he wins the 2024 presidential election. He said the reasoning for this was that cannabis could be harmful, possibility laced with fentanyl and that people ‘could die just by ingesting that’ – despite regulated markets testing cannabis products for safety.

The bill signed by DeSantis last week – SB 210 – which relates to substance abuse services, will require anyone seeking a license for the establishment of a recovery centre to prove they do not permit the use of medically prescribed or adult use cannabis.

Adding to this, DeSantis also vetoed the passing of a criminal justice reform bill – House Bill 605 – that would have amended the state’s statute regarding the expungement of criminal records, despite Biden’s expungement announcement for cannabis criminal records.

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This has taken place as a petition in Florida – where adult use is still illegal – to legalise adult use cannabis has gained enough signature to put forward a ballot.

Speaking to WUFT, Public Defender for the 8th Judicial Circuit, Stacy Scott, told the publication she would like to see a push for Florida to join the 23 states that have automatic expungement laws in place for those convicted of minor cannabis offences.

“If (recreational) marijuana is put on the ballot for voters to decide in Florida, it would be important to include in that language provisions that provide a mechanism for clearing up the prior record,” she told WUFT.

“An automatic expungement process would probably be the most efficient way.”