A Florida House panel passed a bill implementing the state's medical marijuana amendment Monday, but not without tacking on another restriction to a bill already called too restrictive by advocates.

  • Florida House panel passes HB 1397, goes to House floor
  • Bill implements medical marijuana amendment
  • Bans smoking, vaping, edibles, adds telemedicine restriction
  • CAPITOL CONNECTION: Latest News | Contact your Florida legislators

HB 1397 passed the House Health and Human Services Committee Monday and is now headed to the House floor for full debate and vote.

The bill maintains a 90-day waiting period before patients can receive a prescription. It bans smoking, vaping and edibles. A new restriction added Monday bans telemedicine. That's when doctors can work with patients over the phone to get their prescription.

Advocates say the new restriction will make it difficult for truly sick, bedridden patients to get medical marijuana.

Supporters of Amendment 2, which was approved by 71 percent of voters last November, say the bill goes against the intent of the amendment and that it puts more restrictions in place.

On Tuesday the Senate's version of the bill will go through its final committee. The Senate version gets rid of the 90-day rule and allows vaping and edibles. The two sponsors of the competing bills are working on a compromise so they have a bill that can pass both chambers.

The Associated Press contributed to information in this story.