Issues persist with Florida's medical marijuana rollout

It’s been nearly two years since state lawmakers passed the law implementing medical marijuana, but significant concerns remain over a lack of research, licenses and in state growers. 21 growers licenses should have been issued by now, but only 14 actually have. Only four of the licenses are still held by Florida companies and most have been sold. [Source: WJXT]

Red tide is gone in Florida, state says

The unforgettable red tide bloom that tarnished Florida waters and destroyed hundreds of the state’s beloved marine mammals is no more. For the first time since October 2017, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, is no longer present in water samples collected in coastal waters anywhere in the state. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and CNN.

Florida Chamber: 150,000 jobs would spring from plan for worker training, lower taxes

A clutch of more than 30 leaders in business and the Legislature gathered in front of the Senate chambers Wednesday to tout the Florida Chamber’s 2019 Jobs Agenda. The Chamber is the largest federation of employers in the state and plans to push for better worker training, lower taxes, and transportation infrastructure improvements during the 60-day session which begins March 5. See the announcement here and read more from the Tallahassee Democrat.

Florida aims to torpedo Milwaukee 2020 convention bid

Miami fears the fix is in. Local Democrats increasingly believe that the Democratic National Convention in 2020 will be sited in Milwaukee, Wis., a conclusion that’s led Florida politicians, donors and insiders to mount a final lobbying blitz to turn the tide. Miami’s stable of Democratic donors are applying their clout to the city’s bid.[Source: Politico]

Florida back in fight to block oil drilling in Everglades

A plan for oil drilling in the Everglades ran into a major obstacle Wednesday, when the state of Florida went to court to stop it and promised to assist local governments in their own fight against the project. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection asked for a rehearing before all the judges of the First District Court of Appeal, where a three-judge panel had ordered the state to issue a drilling permit to Kanter Real Estate LLC. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› JaxPort steams toward deal with international tenants [Florida Times-Union]
The panel discussion at the State of the Port luncheon was proceeding Thursday in the fashion that such panel sessions typically do when Jacksonville Port Authority CEO Eric Green broke in to say that the JaxPort executives fielding questions might seem a little bit on edge. “We will be making a huge announcement on March 4,” Green told the crowd.

› Supreme Court decision may choke cash flow for some Florida police departments [Miami Herald]
A sweeping U.S. Supreme Court ruling Wednesday has police chiefs and sheriffs across Florida asking their lawyers whether they need to change how they seize people’s cars, homes and cash. The 9-0 ruling struck at the heart of a practice derisively known as “policing for profit,” where police can seize someone’s assets if they suspect it was involved in a crime.

› Florida lawmakers renew push to curb human trafficking [Daily Business Review]
A year ago, state Sen. Lauren Book wanted to allow human-trafficking survivors to sue hotels that turned a blind eye to abuse. But after that idea did not pass, the Plantation Democrat is back with a different proposal: training hotel employees to spot trafficking.

› On wages, mixed news for Palm Beach County workers [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Collecting a paycheck in Palm Beach County is a mixed bag, according to data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average weekly wage during the second quarter of 2018 was $1,015, the highest among Florida’s 24 largest counties.

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› Disney reveals more changes headed to Epcot [Orlando Sentinel]
Epcot has been undergoing a multi-year transformation to update the park, while still staying true to the park’s “original vision.” And Disney has shared details about what’s to come, including plans for a play pavilion “that’ll be unlike anything you’ve ever seen at the park,” according to the Disney Park’s Blog.

› Forums in Manatee County to offer details about funds to assist distressed areas [Sarasota Hertald-Tribune]
A free forum on Monday morning will educate potential investors and others about tax incentives offered in areas designated for redevelopment. Meanwhile, in another program also offered Monday, non-profit agencies and others can learn how they may be able to qualify for federal grants to improve lower-income neighborhoods.

› City settles with Jacksonville Landing, clearing way for demolition [Florida Times-Union]
The city of Jacksonville and the owners of The Jacksonville Landing moved toward ending their all-out legal battle as both sides announced a settlement agreement Wednesday in which the city would pay $15 million to terminate the owner’s long-term lease for city-owned land where the copper-topped mall stands.

› ‘Who gave it, who got it?’ How political influence in Miami is bought — and concealed [Miami Herald]
In Miami’s political scene, money doesn’t just talk. It screams — in English, Spanish and Creole, filling the airwaves, flashing on TV and computer screens, crowding email inboxes, text messages and snail mail.