Florida hits a milestone: More than 100,000 people are registered to use medical marijuana

Florida has hit a milestone of sorts as it slowly moves toward wider availability of medical marijuana. The number of patients in the state who are registered to use the substance has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, according to Florida Department of Health. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the Palm Beach Post, and WLRN.

Fishing for energy: Ocean debris turned into fuel in Florida

640,000 tons of fishing gear is abandoned each year around the globe, posing a risk to marine life. Local fishermen in the Florida Keys are catching the lost gear as part of a program that turns some of that debris into energy. [Source: NBC News]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Changing dynamics in wealth management

Many money managers are shifting toward value and overseas stocks and taking a short-term approach to bonds. A variety of economic factors looks to make 2018 a challenging year for managing investments. In this story, Florida Trend interviews some of the top wealth managers/financial advisers in the state and asked them to weigh in on their strategies. Full story here.

Opinion: Florida takes important step toward data-driven criminal justice policymaking

With nearly 100,000 adults behind bars and an annual corrections tab topping $2.3 billion, Florida is making changes that will deliver better criminal justice at a lower cost. Florida’s commitment to data-driven policy is blossoming just in time. [Source: The Hill]

Gov. Scott to make 5th trip to Puerto Rico since Maria

Scott will leave Monday on a trip his office said will be to give assistance and guidance to emergency management workers and government leaders in the U.S. territory. The trip comes less than two weeks after Scott announced he will run for U.S. Senate, challenging three-term Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. The Puerto Rican vote could be a key in the election. More from the AP and the Tampa Bay Times.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› In-Water Boat Show exceeds promoter’s expectations [Florida Times-Union]
Even Mother Nature couldn’t dampen the success of last weekend’s Jacksonville In-Water Boat Show. Despite being forced to close early last Sunday to avoid the threat of severe weather, patrons were pleased by the variety of available vessels, which led to an uptick in sales at Metropolitan Park and Marina.

› Eastern Caribbean joins Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association to showcase their destinations [South Florida Caribbean News]
Eastern Caribbean destinations like Puerto Rico, St. Maarten and the U.S. Virgin Islands already welcome tens of thousands of cruise passengers per day after recovering from the tragic and unprecedented hurricane season, but they are looking to the future.

› Construction jobs abound in South Florida as unemployment declines [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
March’s unemployment numbers declined in Broward and Palm Beach counties but remained the same in Miami-Dade County, according to data released Friday by the state.

› Orlando demand grows for Puerto Rican food, beer [Orlando Sentinel]
Supermarkets and distributors in Central Florida and food companies back in Puerto Rico are pushing to bring more products to the Orlando area, from food and beer to spices and cleaning supplies.

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› Healthy sales in forecast for Suncoast Boat Show [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The Suncoast Boat Show motored back into Sarasota Friday and early indicators from exhibitors and organizers point to another great run for the three-day show. Helping to fuel the wave of optimism for the 36th annual event is another strong year of boat sales, rising consumer confidence and an upbeat economic outlook.

› State regulators allow major solar company to lease home equipment [Tampa Bay Times]
State regulators Friday determined that one of the country’s largest residential solar companies, San Francisco-based Sunrun, is allowed to lease solar energy equipment for homes in Florida.

› Northern Everglades major factor in water struggles downstream [Fort Myers News-Press]
Many people think of the Everglades as only Everglades National Park (which is large at 1.5 million acres), but the entire system actually stretches across 16 counties and is home to about 8.5 million people.

› Hundreds wait for long overdue $26 million Tampa public housing project [WFLA]
Plagued by crooked contractors, botched construction and even the weather, the much ballyhooed Tempo residential tower in the “Crown Jewel” Encore development has become the Tampa Housing Authority’s biggest boondoggle. And it’s not over yet.