New Florida medical marijuana rules stoke criticism

Authors of Florida's voter-approved constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana are blasting proposed rules to regulate the cannabis industry. The proposed rules, released Tuesday by state health officials, would essentially maintain current vendors' stranglehold on the medical marijuana industry. More from WPTV, the AP, and Florida Politics.

See also:
» Florida Board of Medicine Hearing on Telemedicine and Medical Marijuana

As Ringling circus shuts down, SeaWorld faces similar challenges

Ditching the elephant performances wasn't enough to save the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. So what will it take to turn around SeaWorld, another animal-based entertainment empire that also has made a sea change regarding its signature animals? [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Gas prices in Florida show signs of stabilizing after run-up

Gas prices dropped a couple of pennies last week following a weeks-long holiday season run-up, travel club AAA reported. The average per-gallon price in Florida on Tuesday was $2.38, down two cents from $2.40 a week earlier. How long the reprieve lasts remains to be seen. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

As mosquito season ends, Florida physicians call for continued Zika surveillance

When it comes to the Zika virus, physicians in Florida are hoping that others will learn from their experience, especially their colleagues working in states that are most susceptible to locally transmitted cases. [Source: Infectious Diseases Today]

Gov. Scott's jobs 'summit' set for early February

Gov. Rick Scott is rounding up business people and educators for a jobs "summit" next month as he continues to push reluctant lawmakers to approve $85 million for business-recruitment incentives. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Orlando Sentinel.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Fort Lauderdale to host 'hardware' startup competition [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
SUP-X, a startup expo to be held this spring in Fort Lauderdale, will host the southeast regional competition of AlphaLab Gear’s Hardware Cup, a national startup competition focused on innovative hardware and other products.

› Why aren't boutique grocers moving to Venice? [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
This time next year, Sarasota will have just about everything it could ever want as far as grocery stores go. But not everyone in Southwest Florida will feel that way. There's still a huge void. It's just not in Sarasota.

› Miami is ready to star in a new TV series [Miami Herald]
Despite the crippling effect the lack of state tax incentives is having on Florida’s film and television industry, a new TV show that would be set in Miami — and filmed there — is on the market at the NATPE Miami convention.

› Port Canaveral commissioner raises questions on cargo rail [Florida Today]
Port commissioners last month unanimously approved designating a route through Cape Canaveral Air Force station as the only one they would consider for a rail project linking the port's cargo area to the Florida East Coast Railway tracks on the mainland.

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› Tampa General, Florida Hospital join connected city wellness plan [Tampa Bay Times]
Florida Hospital and Tampa General Hospital are signed up to be part of a wellness district within a planned 7,800-acre development that would include a hospital, research center and other health-care facilities.

› New York company acquires South Florida medical practices with over 300 employees [South Florida Business Journal]
InTandem Capital Partners has acquired South Florida medical practices Cano Health and Comfort Health and will operate them under the Cano Health brand.

› Matt Gaetz wins appeal for northwest Florida skydiving business [Florida Politics]
Congressman Matt Gaetz, also an attorney, has won an appeal that should allow a Walton County couple to continue operating a skydiving business on their 290-acre farm near Paxton.

› Florida officials call on GOP lawmakers to protect immigrants' rights [WKMG]
A group of elected officials came together Tuesday, three days before the U.S. presidential inauguration, to speak out in support of Florida's immigrant community.