Defending Florida’s Medical Cannabis Program: Recap of The Rotation – September 14th Episode

The latest episode of The Rotation took a deep dive into one of the most important issues facing Florida’s medical cannabis community: protecting patients from predatory practices while preserving the integrity of the state’s medical program.

The Fight for Free Speech and Patient Rights

Hosts Gary Stein, Chris Cano, and Katrina Pink opened the show with a somber reflection on recent national events and the importance of protecting free speech—even for voices we disagree with. They reminded listeners that loss of First Amendment rights is as dangerous as any political threat and set the tone for a thoughtful, civil discussion.

From there, the conversation shifted to Florida, where patients’ rights and access to safe, legal cannabis remain under constant pressure. Gary and Chris highlighted how advocacy is not just about legalization—it’s about ensuring patients can safely participate in the program without fear of losing their jobs, their medicine, or their freedom.

Dr. Barry Gordon & Nick Garrelle Join the Conversation

The episode featured two prominent guests:

• Dr. Barry Gordon of Compassionate Cannabis Clinic – one of the first physicians to certify patients in Florida after Amendment 2 passed.

• Nick Garrelle, CEO and founder of My Florida Green, a medical marijuana technology and patient services platform that has certified more than 50,000 patients statewide.

Both guests shared their first-hand experiences building Florida’s medical cannabis program “from the ground up,” recalling how slow and cumbersome the early system was—and how many patients died before even receiving their cards.

The Leafwell Controversy: Patient Brokering in Florida

The bulk of the episode was devoted to discussing Leafwell, a national telehealth company accused of skirting Florida law by holding “free medical card” pop-up events, allegedly funded by dispensaries in exchange for funneling patients into their stores.

Nick detailed his recent 55-page lawsuit against Leafwell, citing violations of Florida’s anti-patient-brokering statutes, privacy laws, and multiple felony-level infractions. According to Nick, these events undermine patient safety by prioritizing volume over education, pushing low-income patients into a rushed system, and cutting legitimate Florida physicians out of the process.

Dr. Gordon agreed, warning that such practices threaten to erode the quality and credibility of Florida’s medical program at a time when advocates are working hard to preserve it as lawmakers consider adult-use legalization.

Why This Matters

Both Nick and Dr. Gordon stressed that preserving the medical cannabis program is not just about business—it’s about respecting patients and respecting the plant.

• Florida’s medical system was designed to be tightly regulated for patient safety.

• Cutting corners jeopardizes that safety and gives Tallahassee more ammunition to make the program even more restrictive.

• Patients deserve education, follow-up care, and legal security, not just a quick certification.

Chris Cano reminded listeners that medical cannabis was the “foot in the door” for legalization in Florida, and it cannot be abandoned in the rush toward recreational markets.

Advocacy, Action, and Upcoming Events

The show closed with a call to action:

• Stay informed. Visit NORML.org to read Florida cannabis laws and know your rights.

• Get involved. Support good policy by donating to candidates like Dr. Ralph Massullo, who could become an influential pro-cannabis voice in the Florida Senate.

• Support Suncoast NORML. Membership helps fund the advocacy that protects patients and pushes for reforms like home grow, workplace protections, and patient access.

And don’t forget to join us for our next community event: Puff N Paint at the Battle Buds Bunker on October 4th. Grab a VIP ticket and enjoy a night of art, advocacy, and cannabis culture with like-minded Floridians.