Medical Marijuana Endeavor Anything But Pipe Dream For Florida Nurseries
August 20, 2015 For a handful of Florida plant nurseries, business could change dramatically very soon. Currently, 24 growing operations have applied for the five allotted licenses to grow “Charlotte’s Web,” a low-THC, non-euphoric medical strain of marijuana.
Bill Dewar
According to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), 28 applications in total were received during the recent three-week open enrollment period. Several nurseries applied for licenses in more than one of the five designated regions (Northwest, Northeast, Central, Southwest, and Southeast).
Being Florida’s first foray into the medical marijuana growing field, the required criterion was set high (must be in business for a continuous 30 years and have an available 400,000 plant inventory), and the ongoing selection process is carrying out in an extremely deliberate manner.
Bill Dewar, president of Apopka-based Dewar Nurseries Inc., whose operation is among those competing for a license in the Central region, says all the time put into preparation and now the waiting will be worth it if given the chance to produce something that can help those in need. “Certainly this has been a very complex and time-consuming process, but we feel strongly this is an opportunity for us to use our many years of experience in the nursery business to help children and people that need the medication.”
Hydrangea is one of the hallmark ornamentals Dewar Nurseries has grown its reputation upon for decades.
Photo by Paul Rusnak
In June 2014, Gov. Rick Scott signed off on the historic bill allowing the medicinal use of “Charlotte’s Web.” Extract from the plant can be used to treat patients suffering from epileptic seizures and other related disorders.
Riding high off the “Charlotte’s Web” win, last November, Florida voters had a chance to make full-blown medical marijuana legal. Despite netting a yes on Amendment 2 from 58% of registered voters, a 60% majority was required in order to alter the state’s amendment. Many blamed the defeat on a sloppily written proposal fraught with loopholes.
Regarding “Charlotte’s Web,” the approach has been much more thorough. “The detailed and cautious way the state has approached the process has allowed us to feel assured we are moving forward in a very responsible and measured way that ultimately will benefit many people in our state,” Dewar says. “These are important decisions, and we are glad the state is handling these issues thoughtfully.”
For businesses like Dewar’s that have been operating for more than 30 years, major change doesn’t come easy. A multitude of unique and added responsibilities will be placed upon the nurseries that are ultimately given the nod to cultivate “Charlotte’s Web.” Despite all that, Dewar knows focus cannot be lost on core obligations. “In the event we are chosen, Dewar’s will remain committed to the (ornamental) nursery business.”
Loading ...With the potential demand a product like “Charlotte’s Web” can and should command, and only five nurseries to handle the load, adequate supply could be of concern. Perhaps the door of opportunity might be open beyond the original five chosen nurseries, especially with the likelihood of medical marijuana making the 2016 state ballot.
“Part of the challenge of this endeavor is that it will serve a brand new market of people in Florida that do not have access to this medicine today,” Dewar adds. “We feel that we are uniquely prepared to serve this market, but also expect it will change and grow over time.”
The FDOH is still reviewing applications, which — by law — must be approved or denied within 90 days after receipt. The ultimate goal of the department remains to get low-THC to those who need it by the end of 2015.
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