South Florida Plant Farmers Look To Profit From 'Cannabiz'
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Now that Governor Rick Scott has signed 'Charlotte's Web' into law, interest is growing in the so-called 'Cannabiz.'
The bill legalizes the use of a non-euphoric strain of marijuana to treat seizures and other debilitating illnesses.
An estimated 125,000 children in Florida suffer from severe epilepsy and their families lobbied to persuade the legislature to allow limited use of this very specific strain of marijuana.
Watch Joan Murray's report, click here.
Authorized patients will be allowed access to the drug through oil or vapor form but it may 'not' be smoked.
Plant farmers throughout Florida are looking at the specifics of the law and whether they will be able to cash in.
One company weighing their options is Delray Plants located in Delray Beach.
A company spokesman tells CBS4 News the company is looking at setting aside one acre of land near Lake Okeechobee for growing the medical marijuana.
The new law requires growers to be in business for at least 30 years, and have inventories of 400,000 or more plants to qualify to compete for the five regional permits.
Delray Plants fits the criteria.
Many other farms are reporting investors offering to put money into future medical marijuana growing operations, even as the larger medical marijuana debate goes on.
Voters will be asked in November to decide on Amendment 2, which has a much broader medical marijuana referendum.
Ahead of that vote, marijuana schools have taken root throughout Florida.
They are teaching entrepreneurs how to cash-in on what could become the state's next big crop.
On Sunday, The Cannabis Career Institute will put on a seminar in Boca Raton.
The cost is $299.
For that money, the California based company will give you guidelines for how to create, brand and market your business based on a timeline and budget.
"There are consultants you can meet that will point you in the right direction," says Chris Williams who lives in Boyton Beach and is one of the speakers at the event.
Williams concedes that passage of Amendment 2 is vital to the medical marijuana business taking off in Florida.
"There are 420,000 eligible patients in Florida who are in need of some form of medical cannabis...that's 1,800 medical marijuana treatment centers in order to fulfill the need."
Beginning in January, Doctors who have been approved, can start writing prescriptions for 'Charlotte's Web' that will be sold through establishments licensed by the state health department.
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