State Senate President Don Gaetz on Wednesday pledged support for his son’s efforts to legalize non-euphoric strains of marijuana.
The strains are high in cannabidiol, or CBD, which has been successful in treating children suffering from seizures, particularly those with Dravet syndrome, a form of epilepsy. Those strains are illegal in Florida.
Gaetz said in a news release that he was moved by testimony from parents who appeared before the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee in January to speak about the benefits of CBD.
“As a father myself, I am unwilling to require these parents to be criminals in order to get treatment for their children,” he said. “As the father of Rep. Matt Gaetz, I am proud of my son for his political courage in fighting for these families as they fight for their children’s lives.”
House Bill 843, filed by Matt Gaetz on Feb. 6, would allow for the growth and manufacture of a form of marijuana low in tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which produces the high. The marijuana would be high in CBD, the substance with the medical benefits.
Don Gaetz said he made his decision after hearing from many constituents with strong opinions about marijuana use.
“I recognize the position Matt and I have taken may be controversial in the minds of some of our Northwest Florida neighbors,” he said in the news release. “It has taken time and prayer and struggle for me to arrive at my position.”
In another show of support, a group of Republicans led by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, filed Senate Bill 1030 as a companion bill to Matt Gaetz’s measure. The Senate bill would allow “the compassionate use of medical-grade marijuana for Floridians suffering with severe neurological conditions like epilepsy,” according to a news release from Bradley’s office.
WANT TO GO State Rep. Matt Gaetz will host a town hall meeting on House Bill 843 at 5 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce at 34 Miracle Strip Parkway S.E. For more information, call 244-8191.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Kari C. Barlow at 850-315-4438 or kbarlow@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KariBnwfdn.