State lawmakers fail to compromise on medical marijuana rules

NAPLES, Fla. Taxpayers are concerned after state lawmakers failed to agree on new rules to implement the voter-approved Amendment 2, such as the amount of medical marijuana dispensaries allowed to operate throughout the state.

“I know it passed, so since it passed they should do it,” said resident Jerry Bonfitto.

The Florida Department of Health is currently making that decision, upsetting county commissioners like Bill McDaniel.

“The government is not doing what the people had stated they wanted,” he said.

County commissioners voted to shorten a ban on the dispensaries this week. They believe the health department will be able to create the necessary rules by later this year and county employees will be able to implement them in the local code.

“From my perspective, we’re going to get the regulation we need anyway,” county commissioner Andy Solis said.

The health department is expected to have these rules in place by Oct. 1.