GOP Senator Offers Florida Medical Marijuana Plan
January 27, 2015
Less than three months after Florida voters narrowly rejected a plan to legalize medical marijuana, a Republican senator Monday filed a bill that would allow patients to get pot if they suffer from diseases such as cancer, AIDS, epilepsy or multiple sclerosis.
The proposal (SB 528), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, includes a detailed regulatory structure that would place requirements on patients, doctors, growers and retail stores. Patients could only get “medical-grade” marijuana if their physicians sign off on the need.
“Many groups have been working on this initiative for quite some time, and my goal is to work openly with all of the interested parties on this issue so that we can pass responsible legislation that provides relief to those Floridians in need,” Brandes said in a prepared statement.
Medical marijuana has been a heavily debated topic in Florida for more than a year, primarily because of a proposed constitutional amendment that would have legalized the substance. That amendment received support from 57.6 percent of voters during the November election, slightly short of the 60 percent needed to pass ballot initiatives.
Backers of the constitutional amendment made clear they would continue trying to legalize medical pot, either through the Legislature or another ballot proposal in 2016. It is unclear, however, whether Brandes can gain the support of Republican legislative leaders and Gov. Rick Scott to get the bill approved during the annual session that starts March 3.
“Senate Bill 528 is a very good start and we believe one that would serve as a huge step forward for Florida’s suffering patients and their families,” the group United For Care, which has led efforts to pass a constitutional amendment, said in an email to supporters Monday. “This bill proves that the massive support we received in the last election — 58% of voters — plus our quick work to bring the petition back for 2016 is getting recognized by reasonable legislators like Senator Brandes.”
The November ballot proposal drew opposition from groups such as the Florida Sheriffs Association. A spokeswoman said Monday the sheriffs association could not comment because it was still reviewing Brandes’ bill.
Under the proposal, physicians could “certify” to the Florida Department of Health that patients qualify for medical marijuana and send an order for the drug to an electronic registry. Patients who suffer from cancer, HIV, AIDS, epilepsy, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease or Parkinson’s disease would qualify if they receive certification from their doctors.
Also, patients could qualify if they have conditions that lead them to chronically suffer from symptoms such as wasting syndrome, severe and persistent pain, severe and persistent nausea, persistent seizures or severe and persistent muscle spasms, according to the bill.
The proposal also provides a framework for the Department of Health to issue licenses to growers, processors and retail stores. It would require the department to issue cultivating and processing licenses by March 1, 2016, and retail licenses by July 1, 2016.
The bill, however, would take into account local communities that don’t want retail marijuana stores. It says the department could not “license any retail facilities in a county unless the board of county commissioners for that county determines by ordinance the number and location of any retail facilities that may be located within that county.”
The detailed regulation in the bill could help prevent a repeat of the uncertainty that has surrounded a far more limited medical-marijuana bill that lawmakers approved last year. That bill, signed by Scott, legalized strains of cannabis that purportedly do not get users high. Those strains are low in euphoria-inducing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, and high in cannabadiol, or CBD.
Backers touted last year’s bill largely as a way to help children who suffer from a severe form of epilepsy. But efforts to carry out the measure have been slowed by legal and regulatory battles.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida on Monday issued a statement thanking Brandes, along with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, and Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, who led efforts to pass last year’s bill.
“Our compassion is why we trust and defend the decisions doctors and patients make together to ease pain and suffering,” foundation Chief Executive Officer Karen Basha Egozi said. “As the largest organization in Florida supporting those living with epilepsy, we support anything that improves their lives.”
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Public Tips Lead To Suspect’s Arrest For Attacking, Robbing Elderly Man
January 27, 2015
Thanks to tips from the public, John Lee Avery Hill, 29, is behind bars for attacking and robbing an elderly man.
Hill is charged with battery, burglary and robbery for the incident November 24 in the lobby of a hotel on Plantation Road when he allegedly asked an 81-year old man for money. After the man gave him $5, deputies say Hill followed him, jumped on him and tried to take his wallet. Hill was unsuccessful in taking the wallet, but did take an additional $2 from the victim before fleeing on foot.
Hill is being held in the Escambia County Jail with bond set at $255,000.
Pictured below: A surveillance video frame grab provided by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that was published in a previous NorthEscambia.com story.
Tate High Wrestling Team Brings Home Gator Brawl Medals
January 27, 2015
The Tate High School Wrestling Team recently traveled to Weewahitcka High School for the Annual Gator Brawl. The team placed third overall and brought home eight medals.
Medal winners were:
- Tanner Wood, 3rd place, 120 pound weight class
- Alex Porter, 1st place, 113 pound weight class
- Heath Hernden, 3rd place, 170 pound weight class
- Matthew Blalock, 4th place, 106 pound weight class
- Scott Houston, 4th place, 126 pound weight class
- Daniel Pigg, 4th place, 138 pound weight class
- Gavin McAnally, 4th place, 220 pound weight class
- Jacob Nelson, 3rd place, 160 pound weight class
Pictured: (bottom, L-R) Tanner Wood, Alex Porter, Matthew Blalock, Scott Houston, Jacob Nelson, (back, L-R) Coach Reggie Allen, Caleb Campbell, Nathan Gainey, Jacob Neales, Gavin McAnally, Heath Hernden, Daniel Pigg, Dale Smith and Assistant Coach Jeremy Nott. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, ckick to enlage.
Scott Visits Pensacola To Push STEM Education Funding In New Budget
January 27, 2015
Gov. Rick Scott visited the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition in Pensacola Monday to highlight proposed STEM education funding in his 2015-2016 “Keep Florida Working” budget.
Scott has announced $1 million in in proposed funding to partner with high-tech companies in Florida to create a paid summer residency program for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) teachers to bring new industry trends in STEM fields back to Florida’s K-12 classrooms. In addition to the summer residency program, Governor Scott’s 2015-2016 “Keep Florida Working” Budget also proposes $30 million for a new workforce training initiative focused on STEM occupations and $5 million to incentivize $10,000 STEM degrees at state colleges.
“We want Florida to be the global leader for jobs, and we must have a skilled workforce to reach that goal. By investing in science, technology, engineering and math education, we are ensuring our students are prepared for the jobs of the 21st century. Our teachers are essential to preparing our students and helping them realize better educational outcomes, and that is why it is so important that we invest in educating our teachers so they can bring innovative ideas to the classroom. We know that the workers and leaders of tomorrow are in our classrooms today and we will continue to make important investments to help our students succeed in the classroom and beyond,” Scott said.
There are 16 Florida companies that have already confirmed their participation in the STEM Residency Program, including the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition and Gulf Power Company.
Pictured: Gov. Rick Scott discusses STEM education funding Monday morning at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition in Pensacola. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
No Injuries In School Bus Wreck
January 26, 2015
There were no injuries in Monday morning accident involving a pickup and a school bus on Archer Road in Cantonment. The driver of a Ford F150 pickup apparently rear-ended an Escambia County School District bus on Archer Road between Highway 29 and Tate Road. There were no students on the bus at the time of the crash. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Three Injured In Early Morning Molino Crash After Driver Falls Asleep
January 26, 2015
Three people were injured in an early Monday morning single vehicle crash in Molino.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 37-year old Cody Powell of Pensacola was northbound on Highway 29 north of Mathison Road about 12:50 a.m. when he fell asleep behind the wheel of his 1999 Lincoln Navigator. The SUV left the roadway, traveling along the the shoulder, hitting a mailbox, three traffic signs and eventually a tree, with the vehicle coming to rest in a wooded area near the Escambia County Health Department.
It took firefighters about 40 minutes to extricate two people that were trapped in the vehicle.
Powell and his passengers, 31-year old David Anthony Royce Crouthers of Molino and 29-year old John Kelly of Pensacola, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
Highway 29 northbound was shut down about an hour due to the crash. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the wreck.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Students To Move Into New Ernest Ward Middle School Next Monday (With Photo Gallery)
January 26, 2015
Students are expected to move into the new Ernest Ward Middle School in Walnut Hill one week from today.
Many of the school’s teachers spend a portion of their weekend setting up their new classroom, which contain all new furniture and new technology that includes triple smart boards with “smart pens” that can be used by students from their desks.
All of the items such as computers and furniture, with the exception of library shelving, will be brand new. The school includes new to Ernest Ward technology such as a closed circuit television systems with a complete TV studio, closed circuit video monitoring, electronic security and access controls, and more.
The $20 million facility is not quite complete; there’s still minor work to be done throughout the building, and the school’s agricultural classroom and band room won’t be completed for several more weeks.
If all goes as planned, students will report to their homerooms in the old EWMS building on Monday, February 2. They will escorted grade by grade into the new facility where they will get the grand tour. There will be changes to student drop-off and pick-up areas as well on February 2. Those changes and complete move-in details will be published on NorthEscambia.com.
About a week later the move into the new building, demolition on the old Ernest Ward will begin. That demolition and new parking lots are due to be completed by the end of July.
OPEN HOUSE: An open house and tours for the public will be held on Monday, February 16 from noon until 4 p.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge
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Wreck Outside Atmore Claims Lives Of Teenage Couple
January 26, 2015
A single vehicle accident Saturday night about seven miles outside Atmore has claimed the life of a teenage couple.
The accident occurred on Highway 31 in Baldwin County, AL, about 10 a.m. when a 2013 Nissan Maxima with four passengers left the roadway and struck a utility sign and a utlity pole. According to Alabama State Troopers, 17-year old Allison B. McKinley of Frisco City, AL, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased a short time later at North Baldwin Infirmary in Bay Minette, AL. Her boyfriend, 16-year old Matthew H. Hinote of Monroeville, was transported to USA Hospital in Mobile where he was pronounced deceased at 4:34 a.m. Sunday.
The driver of the Nissan, 24-year-old Justin J. Jordan of Monroeville, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. A third passenger was also hospitalized after the crash.
The accident remains under investigation by the Alabama State Troopers. According to troopers, there were no seat belts in use at the time of the crash.
Domestic Dispute Ends With Four People Attacked, Injured By Dog
January 26, 2015
Four people were bit during a dog attack in Santa Rosa County over the weekend. Three of the injured were taken to area hospital, including one that was airlifted by LifeFlight.
According to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, a domestic argument was taking place inside a residence on American Farms Road. Deputies said the dog became irate due to the yelling at the home. As a resident attempted to put the dog outside, the dog bit the first victim. A short time later, a resident let the dog back into the home and again bit a resident. The dog was again placed outside. A short time later, a resident let the dog back into the home, and the dog once again began biting residents. At this point, witnesses told deputies that the dog was cornered and stabbed. The dog died on scene.
Further information on the condition of the bite victima was not available.
Info Fair Planned For Parents Of Special Needs Children
January 26, 2015
An information fair for parents and guardians of children with special needs will be held Tuesday, January 27 from 5-7 p.m. at Escambia Westgate School.
The information fair will provide families the opportunity to obtain information from multiple agencies and organizations in one location, provide time for families to visit with agencies and organizations, and increase of services available in the Escambia County area and across the state. Representatives will be available to answer questions and provide information vital to coordinating care and services for children with disabilities.
For more details, contact Escambia Westgate at (850) 494-5700. Escambia Westgate is located at 10050 Ashton Brosnaham Road.