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CANNABIS One Plant
BUSINESS Opens Its
DIRECTORY Ocala
Dispensary
page 30 page 31

October 2020

2019 Cannabis Business Award’s Publication of the Year

Edibles Are finally Here After 4

Years! So, What Took So Long?

BY HOLLY BELL

I want you readers to ponder a scenario where you
are sick, perhaps terminal. You have a prescription
from your doctor for medication that will improve
your quality of life dramatically. You go to the phar-
macy to get your prescription filled only to be told it
is not available and they have no idea when it will be
available. You end up waiting for four years.
Dr. Barry Gordon The end of August brought a mixed bag of reac- Michael Liss
tions and questions when the OMMU released emer-
gency rules for edibles with no notice to the industry. Priorities Moving
What’s Ahead for So, what were those questions and reactions? NOTE:
FDACS is directed by statute to oversee the edibles Forward
Cannabis portion of the Medical Cannabis program with Holly Bell
DOH/OMMU. The Food Safety Division of FDACS
finished their rules and they were adopted in March. This meant the MMTCs could BY MICHAEL LISS, ESQ.
Legislation in have their edibles kitchen inspected and permitted by FDACS’ Food Safety Division,
so when the OMMU finally did their edibles rules, they could immediately start mak- Congratulations for surviving the first
Florida? ing edibles. half of a year into a global pandemic. Have
Continued on page 32 you tracked your business’ steps since the
idea of a “lock-down” first circulated?
BY DANIEL CASCIATO Since you made it thus far and others did
not, consider that you prioritized obliga-
The year 2019 was a pretty big year for Trulieve First Company tions. Prioritizing obligations is THE criti-
cannabis in the state of Florida. Smoking cal step all business owners can take to
medical marijuana became law. A hemp to Introduce THC-infused Edible ensure survival through the chapter.
program was introduced. The state also What is meant by an “obligation” when
hired a cannabis czar to oversee the we speak of businesses? Something you
cannabis program. Products to Florida Market must do to operate. In most businesses,
But what’s ahead? We chatted with one main obligations include payments of rent
of the foremost experts in cannabis in BY VANESSA ORR or mortgage, payroll, equipment, insur-
Florida, Dr. Barry Gordon, president and ance and other costs of doing business.
Chief Medical Officer of Compassionate On Aug. 26, 2020, the Florida Department of However, not all obligations are built the
Cannabis Clinic, on his thoughts. Health (FDOH) granted permission for licensed med- same.
ical marijuana dispensaries to produce THC-infused There are secured obligations and unse-
CNF: What do you see as the top edible products, including lozenges, gelatins, baked
legislative issues in the cannabis goods, chocolates and drink powders. Seven days cured obligations. Secured obligations
industry that should get more later, Trulieve Cannabis Corp., Florida’s largest med- must often take priority over unsecured
attention in the state? ical marijuana company, began selling edible products obligations. “Secured” means that collec-
tion of a debt is made simpler, as the loan
Dr. Gordon: We all know that there are in its dispensaries. is “secured” by collateral. Car loans are
many issues to work on, however there are “Trulieve is the only company that has manufac- secured. If you default, the security for the
four “low hanging fruit” items of concern tured and made edibles available in Florida, which is loan, the car, gets repossessed.
that CAN be addressed and SHOULD be an important differentiator as we continue to scale,” The largest immutable obligation for
accomplished in the 2021 Legislative ses- explained CEO Kim Rivers. “The volume required to most businesses is rent or mortgage. Rent
sion: The continuation of telehealth for meet the demand will be significant.” Kim Rivers is often a secured obligation when we
recertification; state by state reciprocity; According to Rivers, Trulieve has a robust plan in speak about businesses, because so many
allowing for multiple caregivers in the place for its edible product lines that will include gelatins, or TruGels, and commercial leases include a personal guar-
appropriate setting; and the enhancement TruChocolate bars to start. TruGels have been approved in blue raspberry, watermel- antee of one or more owners. For a busi-
of veteran’s access. The reason I feel these on, guava passionfruit, and pineapple flavors, with more flavors awaiting approval. ness requiring a physical plant. this is the
four particular issues are achievable is TruNanoGels will also come in additional fruit flavors once approved by the FDOH. first obligation to mind. Luckily, this obli-
because EVERY Legislator should be uni- “We have also partnered with other national edible brands such as Bhang, Binske, gation is the most subject to negotiation.
versal in the agreement that this is to the District Edibles and Love’s Oven to bring items such as chocolates, brownies, cookies Whether you rent office space or own an
BENEFIT of the already existing patients and gels to the Florida market,” said Rivers. “Making the product accessible across the industrial condominium, this is a great
in the program, and not any expansion of state, while maintaining quality and consistency, is important to us. time to obtain better payment terms. Office
the program. Most other issues face contin- “We believe edibles will become a selection process for many patients and will also space is quickly emptying, and no landlord

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