If you’ve been thinking about pulling up to Best Blunt of the Bay V , this is your sign. Because it’s not “coming soon” anymore…It’s happening THIS WEEKEND . And if you wait much longer, you’re not getting in. The Bay’s Most Legendary Rolling Competition Returns Hosted by Suncoast NORML, Best Blunt of the Bay V  is back in St. Petersburg for another round of high-level competition, community vibes, and straight-up cannabis culture. This isn’t just an event — it’s a showcase o

Inside the Latest Episode of Suncoast NORML’s Podcast The Rotation By Suncoast NORML The latest episode of The Rotation  didn’t pull punches. Set against the backdrop of the lead-up to 4/20—what the hosts jokingly call “the holiday season”—this episode quickly pivots from celebration to a hard truth about Florida’s cannabis industry: There are currently zero minority-owned MMTCs (Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers) in Florida.   And according to this week’s guest, that’s not

If you’ve spent any time around Florida’s cannabis scene, you already know one name dominates the conversation: Trulieve . What started as a single vertically integrated operator in 2016 has transformed into one of the largest cannabis companies in the United States—and arguably the most powerful player in Florida. But with that kind of growth comes a real question: Can a company this big operate ethically 100% of the time? Let’s break it down. From One License to Total Domin

In 2024, a majority of Floridians voted to legalize cannabis. And yet—legalization still failed. Now, new reporting reveals that millions of dollars tied to taxpayer funds may have been quietly funneled into the very campaign that helped defeat it. This isn’t just a political story. It’s a story about power, influence, and the lengths prohibitionists will go to stop cannabis reform. The $10 Million Question According to recent reporting from High Times , a $10 million payment

A common-sense cannabis reform for pets, patients, and professionals is now one signature away from becoming law. Maryland is on the verge of enacting another meaningful cannabis reform victory—and this one could make a real difference for pet owners and the veterinarians they trust. This week, Maryland lawmakers sent SB 54 / HB 452  to Gov. Wes Moore, a bill that would protect veterinarians from being punished simply for talking honestly with clients about cannabis and CBD f

\ Medical cannabis continues to challenge outdated narratives about marijuana and mental health. A recent study highlighted by cannabis publication Leafie  found that 93.5% of medical cannabis patients reported relief from anxiety symptoms after using cannabis , adding to growing real-world evidence that patients are finding meaningful benefits. For advocates, patients, and policymakers alike, this raises an important question: If patients consistently report relief, why does

If a marijuana charge doesn’t make you unfit to serve, why are politicians still using it to ruin people’s lives? There are few things more pathetic in American politics than watching prohibitionists quietly back away from a failed policy they spent years defending — without ever admitting the damage they caused. That’s where we are now. The U.S. Army  is easing enlistment restrictions for people with certain low-level cannabis convictions. Translation? Even the Army is start

By Christopher C. Cano, MPA Executive Director, Suncoast NORML Florida’s 2026 legislative session made one thing clear: the gap between voters and lawmakers on cannabis policy is widening. While a majority of Floridians support legalization—and nearly 60% continue to do so in polling—the Legislature once again delivered only incremental changes  while blocking meaningful reform. From stalled legalization efforts to ignored patient protections, Tallahassee continues to lag beh

There’s a lot of hype building around the upcoming return of the Scary Movie  franchise, and for good reason. The Wayans Brothers  helped define the series' original tone, and many fans agree the first two films they created remain the best entries. Now, with the family reclaiming creative involvement and Marlon Wayans  returning to his iconic role as Shorty Meeks, cannabis culture may once again find itself center stage in mainstream comedy. And believe it or not, that matte

This 2026 legislative session marks an important moment for compassion, fairness, and common-sense cannabis policy in Florida. The Florida House of Representatives has unanimously passed HB 887 , a bill that will reduce the cost of medical marijuana identification cards for honorably discharged veterans. As Executive Director of Suncoast NORML, I want to celebrate this milestone and thank the lawmakers who recognized something simple but powerful: our veterans should not face

Suncoast NORML’s latest episode of The Rotation  featured Clifton Nicholas , founder of The Green Devil Cannabis / Le Diable Vert  in Quebec—an operator with deep roots in the legacy market and an even deeper commitment to Indigenous sovereignty , community, and clean cannabis. What started as a discussion about Canadian legalization quickly expanded into something bigger: how laws change the culture  of cannabis, how monopoly-style regulation impacts consumers, and why freed

In what might be the most unintentionally hilarious cannabis-related government initiative in recent memory, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)  is now encouraging high school students  to make videos warning their peers about the “dangers” of THC — timed to drop on 4/20 . Yes, you read that right. The initiative, promoted through the DEA’s youth outreach channels alongside an anti-marijuana nonprofit called Johnny’s Ambassadors , invites students to produce short publ

After months of effort by supporters of adult-use cannabis reform, Florida election officials have announced that a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana for adults will not appear on the November 2026 ballot  — but the campaign behind the measure insists the state’s decision is premature and is pushing back. State Says Initiative Fell Short According to the Florida Department of State, none of the 22 citizen-led constitutional amendment campaigns  for the 2

Every community has its traditions. Some involve parades. Some involve festivals. And here in Tampa Bay, one of our favorite traditions involves elite craftsmanship, steady hands, and a little friendly competition. Best Blunt of the Bay V  is officially back — and Suncoast NORML is once again bringing one of the most anticipated community events of the year to St. Petersburg just days before 4/20. A Tampa Bay Tradition Returns After four wildly successful competitions that dr

Recap of our latest The Rotation episode with Javier Jasso of High Times If you tuned in expecting the usual Sunday rotation… surprise. We dropped a special Thursday episode, because Tampa was gearing up for Gasparilla—the annual moment when pirates “take over” the city, and we all pretend we’re shocked by it. And yes: We opened the show talking like a pirate. Because if the choice is pirates invading Tampa for a weekend or politicians trying to plunder our rights year-round…

The holiday season is more than egg nog and mistletoe — for many cannabis enthusiasts, it’s also a time to enjoy quality cannabis with friends and family. Whether you’re unwinding after a day of shopping, decorating the tree, or cozying up by the fire, certain strains can enhance the festive spirit and make your Christmas celebration even more memorable. Why Holiday Cannabis Strains Matter Cannabis strains with festive flavors and aromas — especially those rich in terpenes li

Florida’s long-running campaign to legalize adult-use marijuana just reached a crucial procedural milestone: the proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational cannabis will now be reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court   — a required step before the measure can appear on the November 2026 ballot . What’s Happening Now After months of legal challenge and political resistance, Florida elections officials have formally submitted the adult-use marijuana proposal to t

In what many see as one of the most controversial political maneuvers in Florida’s cannabis history, the state government under Governor Ron DeSantis diverted more than $35 million in taxpayer funds  to influence the 2024 ballot fight — including efforts that targeted a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational cannabis . How Public Money Was Reallocated According to a High Times  investigation drawing from reporting by the Miami Herald  and Tampa Bay Times , Florida

A growing body of scientific research continues to explore how compounds found in cannabis might one day contribute to medical treatments — and the latest lab-based study offers intriguing clues about ovarian cancer, one of the most lethal gynecological cancers worldwide. According to recent research published in Frontiers in Pharmacology , scientists found that two of the most prominent cannabinoids — CBD (cannabidiol)  and THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)  — slowed the gr

On December 15, 2025 , the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a landmark case challenging the federal prohibition on marijuana , dealing a setback to reform advocates and cannabis businesses seeking constitutional relief from the Controlled Substances Act. The case, Canna Provisions et al. v. Bondi , was brought by four state-licensed cannabis companies that argued the current federal ban on marijuana is no longer constitutional in light of sweeping state legalization , econ