MEDICAL MARIJUANA LICENSES Two Black farmers have received licenses to grow, process and sell medical marijuana, after a new state law earmarked a dozen licenses for Black farmers. The Florida Department of Health issued the licenses on July 11th to Suwannee County farmer Terry Donnell Gwinn and Shedrick McGriff of Jackson County. A $5 million Read more about Issues of Interest[…]
In addition to running JEJ and Associates, Lena is the executive director of the Florida Agritourism Association (FATA). The Association has grown from a fledgling group of agritourism operators and supporters to over 350 members today. The Association held its very first conference and farm tour in Gainesville on July 11-13th. A sold-out crowd of Read more about Agritourism Conference[…]
WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS PROTECTION ZONE The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a rule creating a springs protection zone around Weeki Wachee Springs in Hernando County. The second of its kind in the state, it will prohibit anchoring, beaching, mooring, and grounding a vessel in and around the springs. Under state law, tubs, rafts, Read more about Issues of Interest[…]
PRISON BEARDS The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of a Florida prison inmate who sought to grow a multi-inch beard while serving his sentence. Florida Department of Corrections rules prohibit beards over one-half inch. The court ruled the inmate, who is a Muslim, can be allowed to grow his beard due to a Read more about Legal Updates[…]
Michael DiNapoli The executive director of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Michael DiNapoli, was asked to step away from his office by the Board of Directors Chair Mario Facella on July 21st. DiNapoli, appointed by Governor DeSantis in February, was put on paid leave while the inspector general conducts an investigation into accusations that he Read more about Movers and Shakers[…]