• Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried wrote to Surgeon General Dr. Jospeh Ladapo on Thursday, lambasting the recent dosage cap on medical marijuana distribution 
• Fried additionally called for a rollback on the policy, urging state leaders to seek input from medical marijuana patients and health providers 
• The emergency rule sets a 70-day total supply limit of 24,500 mg of THC for non-smokable marijuana and sets dosage caps for different routes for varying forms of consumption like edibles, inhalation, and tinctures.

State Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried in a letter to Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo on Thursday criticized a recent state ruling that limits the THC dosage amounts and supply allocations doctors can order for medical marijuana patients.

Fried claimed that the sudden ruling imposed “severe harm” on Florida’s 700,000 medical cannabis patients, calling it an attempt to circumvent the will of the American people.

Fried further claimed that the rule would not have passed had the state sought out opinions from licensed medical providers and advisors.

“Unveiling a rule cutting the allowable preparations and extracts dosage by 69.4 percent with less than three days notice is not just thoughtless, it’s irresponsible,” reads the letter. “It has caused chaos, confusion, and rightful panic among patients and providers.”

The emergency rule ordered last week sets a 70-day total supply limit of 24,500 mg of THC for non-smokable marijuana and sets dosage caps for different routes for varying forms of consumption like edibles, inhalation, and tinctures.

In addition, the rule enforces a state regulation that limits smokable marijuana transactions to 2.5 ounces over a 35-day period.

“By limiting patients to purchasing only a maximum of 24,500 milligrams of THC over a 70-day period and a limit of 2.5 ounces of smokable cannabis in a 35-day period, the state is overriding the professional judgment of doctors and endangering the health of patients,” Fried’s letter continued. “Many patients require the ability to purchase a higher dosage in multiple forms in order to test combinations and find the best balance to treat their particular condition in consultation with their doctor. The state has no business inserting itself into nuanced decisions being made between patients and their health care providers.”

While any change in policy is unlikely to occur, Fried went on to request a reversal of the ruling, calling for a system that works more equitably and provides patients and providers with more input.

“Medical cannabis is medicine and I hope that the Department Of Health and Office of Medical Marijuana Use will reverse these harmful restrictions and instead, work to improve the program in a way that puts patients and equity first and that provides patients and providers with a seat at the table when decisions impacting their care are being discussed,” concluded the letter.

We're sending a strong message to the DeSantis Admin. to put patients first, protect their access to legal & lifesaving medicine, and roll back these harmful limits.

I will NEVER stop fighting for our medical cannabis patients & full legalization.https://t.co/l76xXoLslB

— Commissioner Nikki Fried (@NikkiFriedFL) September 8, 2022