The legalization of medicinal edibles in Florida has brought joy to both businesses and medical cannabis consumers across the state.

In 2016, Florida residents voted to amend the state constitution to allow for the use of medicinal cannabis. However, certain forms of cannabis were initially excluded from the available options for medicinal consumers. It wasn’t until 2019, when Governor Ron DeSantis repealed a law prohibiting smoking, that flowers became legally consumable.

Although medicinal edibles were legalized in 2017, they only made their way to dispensary shelves in late summer of 2020. The delay was due to the Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) taking time to establish regulations governing the manufacturing, sale, and consumption of edibles.

The OMMU’s regulations are designed to prioritize public safety, particularly that of children. For instance, the new rules prohibit the sale of edibles that resemble candies currently available in the market. Additionally, the regulations mandate that “edibles shall be produced in a manner to minimize color intensity and other color and visual characteristics attractive to children.”

Specific potency guidelines were also set by the OMMU. Each individual edible serving is not allowed to contain more than 10 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and products with multiple servings must not exceed 200 milligrams of THC.

Other noteworthy restrictions include the ban on the use of colorants, whether natural or artificial, as well as the prohibition of icing, sprinkles, toppings, and the addition of fish, meat, or poultry.

According to the regulations, consumers now have a variety of edible options to choose from, including lozenges, gelatins, baked goods, chocolates, and drink powders.

Industry analysts predict that the introduction of edibles could generate over $200 million in additional revenue for the medicinal cannabis sector. This expansion opens up new possibilities and opportunities for both businesses and patients seeking alternative forms of cannabis consumption in Florida.