Page 40 - SFHN0920finalUF.qxp_SFHN 0608 Friday 5.0

AROUND THE REGION
TM

Back Cover Story: Hemp, CBD, Medical Marijuana and the Pandemic

Top List of Fried’s Priorities

Continued from page 44 Health to finalize their rules,” said Fried. everything in between,” said Fried, is our job to get the message out there
of my big sticking points was to make “There also need to be big changes made adding that the department is sampling about what every person can do to stop
sure that there were no limitations on the in regulations about patient access and in products to ensure that what is on the the spread of the virus and to protect
number of licenses available, who could breaking up vertical integration—making label is in the package. themselves and their families.”
apply, or the amount of acreage they the product not just accessible but afford- “We’ve done a lot of product testing in The campaign includes videos by
could use,” said Fried of making the new able. I’m hoping to work with the which items were mislabeled; the prod- influencers, athletes and more, and have
crop accessible. Legislature over time to make those uct may say it has 100 milligrams of been live-streamed by networks across
“We’re looking at more than just the changes.” CBD, but it actually has none,” she said. the state and distributed through social
cultivation side,” added Fried of the CBD licensing is also underway in the “We’ve also seen an uptick of lead in media. PSAs will launch in the coming
industrial hemp pilot projects. “If there is state. “Licensing is needed because this is products being tested and we’re working weeks.
no one to sell it to, it’s a worthless com- an unregulated industry at the federal with manufacturers to figure out where it While it has been surmised that Fried
modity. We’re working to create an entire level,” Fried explained. “So many people is coming from.” is planning a run for governor, she says
industry.” are now buying CBD for health and well- Tasked to keep Floridians safe, the that her plate is full right now.
ness, but they have no idea if there is department is also meeting the COVID “I’m just focused on getting through
lead, chemicals, or even any CBD in the challenge head-on. the pandemic, which has completely col-
Cannabis and CBD products they buy.” “We’ve just launched a public informa- lapsed our healthcare system, our econo-
According to Fried, the medical mari- On Jan. 1, 2020, the department’s Food tion campaign in answer to the fact that my and the agricultural industry,” she
juana industry is continuing to expand as Services Division began receiving appli- there is no leadership in Florida concern- said, noting that agriculture has suffered
there is increased demand for those prod- cations for CBD licenses. ing COVID response,” said Fried. “People a $522 million loss to date.
ucts, and dispensaries are reporting an “If we learn that someone is selling are receiving mixed messages from the “We need to work to make it stronger
uptick in applications and visit frequency. CBD without a license, we’ll have a con- governor’s office and the White House, than ever,” she added of the state’s #1
“There is still significant frustration versation with them about applying and the citizens of our state are looking economic driver, “so we’re working
with putting out edibles because we are because it will be enforced—this goes for for leadership, hope, answers and empa- around the clock with producers to get
waiting for the Florida Department of food stores, vape shops, gas stations and thy. As the consumer watchdog agency, it ready for the next harvest.”

www.CannabisNewsFlorida.com
Visit us on the web at www.CannabisNewsFlorida.com

40 September 2020 cannabisnewsflorida.com Cannabis News Florida