State sets medical marijuana dosage, supply limits

| 9/6/2022

State sets medical marijuana dosage, supply limits

Florida health officials have released a highly anticipated rule setting THC dosage amounts and supply limits on products doctors can order for medical-marijuana patients. The emergency rule sets a 70-day total supply limit of 24,500 mg of THC for non-smokable marijuana and establishes dosage caps for different routes of administration such as edibles, inhalation and tinctures. The rule, which was sent to patients and doctors on Friday and went into effect Monday, also carries out a state law that imposed a 2.5-ounce limit on smokable marijuana purchases over a 35-day period. [Source: News Service of Florida]

An online tool to find addiction treatment launches in Florida

Floridians can now access a free tool to help them find substance use treatment. The online assessment and treatment locator is called ATLAS, and it's designed to serve individuals struggling with addiction or concerned friends and family who are searching on their behalf. Users can fill out a questionnaire to get recommendations about the types of treatments that may benefit them, depending on their situation. Those could involve outpatient or residential programs, as well as additional services like mental health care or medication-assisted treatment. [Source: WUSF]

State sues FDA over drug importation records

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has filed a lawsuit alleging that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not complied with a public-records request about the state’s proposed program to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Tampa, came after state Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Simone Marstiller submitted a Freedom of Information Act request on July 6 seeking numerous records about drug-importation proposals by Florida and other states. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Florida Blue v. BayCare: How the struggle between healthcare giants could affect you

A back-and-forth between two big players in the Florida healthcare field has recently gone public — a pretty unconventional move as far as insurance contract negotiations go. And if Florida Blue and BayCare don't settle their feud soon, thousands of people in the Tampa Bay area could be looking for new doctors starting next month. Here's what you need to know (especially if you're a Florida Blue-ensured Baycare patient). [Source: WTSP]

What to know about COVID vaccine boosters that target omicron

For the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Florida residents can get redesigned shots that target the latest coronavirus subvariants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday recommended updated boosters that take aim at BA.4 and BA.5, two fast-spreading omicron subvariants. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› AdventHealth develops a quick diagnostic test for brain-eating amoebas [WMFE]
Researchers at AdventHealth Central Florida have developed a test that can detect brain-eating amoebas in a patient’s body in about five hours. The test scans a small sample of the person’s spinal fluid for one of three deadly amoebas. The organisms are found in freshwater bodies in Florida and can enter the noses of swimmers and divers where they quickly move to the brain. Emergency Medicine Dr. Vincent Valente says quick detection is crucial as about 97 percent of people who get sick, will die. Right now, there’s only one other available test from the CDC that takes much longer to process.

› Abortion clinic fights fine over Florida waiting period [News Service of Florida]
In the second similar case to emerge in recent weeks, a Miami abortion clinic is fighting an attempt by state regulators to impose a fine over allegations that it did not properly comply with a law requiring 24-hour waiting periods before abortions can be performed. Doctor’s Office for Women, Inc., which does business as Today’s Women Medical Center, is challenging a potential $3,000 fine in a case filed Wednesday at the state Division of Administrative Hearings.

› Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County gets new leadership [St Augustine Record]
The Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County will soon welcome its new leadership. Shane Lockwood, 51, who has more than 25 years of experience in public health agencies in Florida and Connecticut, will step into his role as health administrator Friday. Established by state law, the Florida Department of Health has a state health office and an office in each county that focuses on public health and provides a wide array of services.

› HCA South Tampa hospital opens $17 million emergency room [Tampa Bay Times]
A $17 million free-standing emergency department is the latest addition to Tampa Bay’s growing health care infrastructure. HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital on Wednesday opened the new facility at the southeast corner of Hillsborough Avenue and Interstate 275. Known as HCA Florida Central Tampa Emergency, it will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is the hospital’s first freestanding emergency room, and officials said it provides the same level of services as the hospital’s main campus.

Tags: Health Care eNews

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