Florida Senate - 2017                          SENATOR AMENDMENT
       Bill No. CS/CS/HB 1397, 2nd Eng.
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                Ì668682KÎ668682                         
       
                              LEGISLATIVE ACTION                        
                    Senate             .             House              
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                 Floor: NC/2R          .                                
             05/04/2017 05:58 PM       .                                
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       Senator Rouson moved the following:
       
    1         Senate Amendment to Amendment (467840) 
    2  
    3         Delete lines 566 - 618
    4  and insert:
    5  qualified patients increasing by 75,000, the department shall
    6  license five additional medical marijuana treatment centers if a
    7  sufficient number of medical marijuana treatment center
    8  applicants meet the registration requirements of this section
    9  and department rule.
   10         4. The department shall implement training programs and
   11  other educational programs to enable minority persons and
   12  minority business enterprises, as defined in s. 288.703, and
   13  veteran business enterprises, as defined in s. 295.187, to
   14  compete for MMTC licenses and contracts. In reviewing
   15  application forms for MMTC licenses, the department must
   16  identify applicants that submit strong diversity plans
   17  reflecting this state’s commitment to diversity.
   18         (b) An applicant for licensure as a medical marijuana
   19  treatment center shall apply to the department on a form
   20  prescribed by the department and adopted in rule. The department
   21  shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54
   22  establishing a procedure for the issuance and biennial renewal
   23  of licenses, including initial application and biennial renewal
   24  fees sufficient to cover the costs of administering this
   25  licensure program. Subject to the requirements in subparagraphs
   26  (a)2.-4., the department shall issue a license to an applicant
   27  if the applicant meets the requirements of this section and pays
   28  the initial application fee. The department shall renew the
   29  licensure of a medical marijuana treatment center biennially if
   30  the licensee meets the requirements of this section and pays the
   31  biennial renewal fee. An individual may not be an applicant,
   32  owner, officer, board member, or manager on more than one
   33  application for licensure as a medical marijuana treatment
   34  center. An individual or entity may not be awarded more than one
   35  license as a medical marijuana treatment center. An applicant
   36  for licensure as a medical marijuana treatment center must
   37  demonstrate:
   38         1. That, for the 5 consecutive years before submitting the
   39  application, the applicant has been registered to do business in
   40  in the state.
   41         2. Possession of a valid certificate of registration issued
   42  by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant
   43  to s. 581.131.
   44         3. The technical and technological ability to cultivate and
   45  produce marijuana, including, but not limited to, low-THC
   46  cannabis.
   47         4. The ability to secure the premises, resources, and
   48  personnel necessary to operate as a medical marijuana treatment
   49  center.
   50         5. The ability to maintain accountability of all raw
   51  materials, finished products, and any byproducts to prevent
   52  diversion or unlawful access to or possession of these
   53  substances.
   54         6. An infrastructure reasonably located to dispense
   55  marijuana to registered qualified patients statewide or
   56  regionally as determined by the department.
   57         7. The financial ability to maintain operations for the
   58  duration of the 2-year approval cycle, including the provision
   59  of certified financial statements to the department. Upon
   60  approval, the applicant must post a $5 million performance bond.
   61  However, a medical marijuana treatment center serving at least
   62  1,000 qualified patients is only required to maintain a $2
   63  million performance bond.
   64         8. That all owners, officers, board members, and managers
   65  have passed a background screening pursuant to subsection (9).
   66         9. The ability to implement a diversity plan that promotes
   67  and ensures the involvement of minority persons and minority
   68  business enterprises, as defined in s. 288.703, or veteran
   69  business enterprises, as defined in s. 295.187, in ownership,
   70  management, employment, and contracting opportunities.
   71         a. A diversity plan must be submitted with an MMTC
   72  application.
   73         b. Upon license renewal, the MMTC must show the
   74  effectiveness of the diversity plan by including the following:
   75         (I) Representation of minority persons and veterans in the
   76  MMTC’s workforce;
   77         (II) Efforts to recruit minority persons and veterans for
   78  employment; and
   79         (III) A record of contracts for services with minority
   80  business enterprises and veteran business enterprises.
   81         10. The employment of a medical director to supervise the