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Back Cover Story: Edibles Are finally Here After 4 Years! So, What Took So Long?

Continued from page 44 must be considered, and cannabis can be portion must be physically distinct or cially by children. Bear any markings,
• First reaction: Finally!! We have a highly emotional topic which brings clearly marked or delineated in a way symbols, images, graphics, or words,
waited for years. Patients need this form out many opinions. that enables a reasonable person to deter- other than the universal symbol. Are dec-
of Medical Cannabis. Especially the very • What can be made and sold? mine the portion of the entire edible that orated with icing, sprinkles, or other top-
sick. So how soon will this be available - Shapes must be: (including the three- constitutes a single serving. If the single pings of any kind. Are a primary or
for patients? The MMTCs have been dimensional form of each shape): Square; serving portion is not physically distinct, bright color. Edibles shall be produced in
proactively trying to prepare for this Circle; Rectangle; Triangle; Parallel - it must be easily separable to allow the a manner to minimize color intensity and
event. Four of the twenty-two MMTCs ogram; Oval; or Diamond. qualified patient to physically separate, other color and visual characteristics
had their edibles kitchens permitted in - Forms must be: Lozenges are a hard with minimal effort, the single serving attractive to children.
March or April, and the rest are quickly edible that is held in the mouth and portion. And a single serving portion of • Prohibited ingredients: Meat, poul-
following. Products appeared for sale in slowly dissolved. Gelatins are a semi- an edible shall not exceed 10 milligrams try, or fish. For purposes of this rule, gel-
MMTCs as soon as the first week of translucent edible made with water-solu- of tetrahydrocannabinol. A multi-serving atin is not considered meat, poultry, or
September, and many anticipate a full ble protein derived from collagen, or a edible shall not exceed a total of 200 mil- fish. Anything other than marijuana oil
roll out of numerous products by early plant-based alternative. Baked goods are ligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol. and ingredients that meet the definitions
November. an edible comprised of dough or batter - Universal Symbol: Edibles shall be of “food” or “food additive” in s. 500.03,
• What took so long? Due to the infan- baked in an oven by the MMTC. marked with the universal symbol, F.S. Any additive that increases potency
cy of the industry, finding qualified, Chocolates are a solid edible made of unless impractical. or toxicity, or any psychoactive sub-
experienced professionals is challenging. milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or • What is not allowed: MMTCs shall stance (e.g. nicotine, alcohol, and caf-
Most programs are created by state chocolate substitute such as carob. not produce or dispense any edibles that feine).
employees with little to no cannabis Chocolates may not contain any caramel, contain any color additives, whether nat- So, edibles are here. Albeit under an
knowledge and experience. Our Florida nougat, nuts, fruit, honey, marshmal- ural or artificial, or contain or bear a rea- emergency rule which can be changed,
program seemed to start getting forward lows, or any other such ingredient, top- sonable resemblance to commercially but they’re here. Munch only as directed.
movement in the first quarter of 2020. pings, or fillings. And Drink Powders are available candy. Such as, if the product is
Rolling out a new state program is not an an edible comprised of powder which is similar in appearance to an existing To review the Emergency Rule, visit
easy task, especially a cannabis-based combined with a fluid for consumption candy product that is familiar to the pub- https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?i
one. There are regulatory challenges at as a beverage by a qualified patient. lic as a widely distributed, branded food d=64ER20-33.
the federal and state levels, numerous - Servings must be: In the case of product, such that the edible could be Holly Bell is the Director of Cannabis,
agencies with conflicting policies that multi-serving edibles, each single serving mistaken for the branded product, espe- State of Florida.

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32 October 2020 cannabisnewsflorida.com Cannabis News Florida