SW Florida medical marijuana organization gives context to federal marijuana reclassification

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

The federal government’s reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug is sparking mixed reactions in Fort Myers, as residents and business leaders weigh its implications.

Elijah Joyce, a medical marijuana patient, said, "It's a good first step, but it's still not full legalization."

Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the topic during a news conference, saying, "You see a lot of these stores around the state. I mean, I'm not saying that's a good thing, but it is what it is."

While the reclassification does not legalize marijuana in Florida, it does bring changes for distributors. Nick Garulay, founder and CEO of My Florida Green, explained the impact on businesses.

"The police are still going to arrest you if you're in possession of it illegally. If you're still carrying a vape cartridge in your pocket, that's still a felony. So, it doesn't change much. What it does do is it opens the doors for companies like ours, for research and development," Garulay said.

He added, "The banking restrictions on medical marijuana-related businesses will have to drop eventually. I'm not saying right away, but eventually they're going to have to remove it from drug testing altogether."

Garulay also highlighted the significance of the reclassification for the medical community. "Now that it's Schedule III, it will definitely open up the doors. Where practitioners and physicians will be more open to it, as well as the research and data will be validated now," he said.

The Justice Department announced plans to explore broader ways marijuana can be used in the summer.

Roy Foxall reacted with, "I don't smoke marijuana or anything. So, I'm not a fan of it. I'm not in favor of it, but right now, it might as well be legal. It's so easily accessible."

Joyce expressed hope for further progress, saying, "I would like to see full legalization at the federal level or a push to change the laws around it so we can keep people out of jail over a plant."

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