Florida medical marijuana use doubles in just one year

Since this time last year, the number of medical marijuana patients in Florida has more than doubled. In fact, the state of Florida is the second-fastest-growing medical marijuana market in the country, according to a recent study done by Marijuana Business Daily. In November 2016, medical marijuana became legal for Florida residents, but, despite the obvious upward trend, many in the industry say there is still a lot of misinformation about it. More from CBS Miami.

See also:
» Cannabis: Florida’s Growing Insurance Industry?
» Florida marijuana legalization effort gets another $1.1 million from pot companies

Interest in St. Pete Pier naming rights gains traction

The city views naming rights as a way to bring in revenue and decrease the annual taxpayer subsidy to operate the district. The new Pier’s annual operating costs will be an estimated $3.2 million, with a taxpayer subsidy of about $1.9 million. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida’s Natural enlists Mickey, Goofy to sell drinks

Talk about celebrity endorsements. Florida’s Natural Growers has recruited Mickey Mouse and Goofy to join their friend Donald Duck to help the Lake Wales juice company sell two new low-sugar beverage products, Chief Marketing Officer Chris Groom told several hundred of the processing cooperative’s members and guests at Tuesday’s annual meeting More from the Lakeland Ledger.

New home construction keeps growing in Southwest Florida

Home starts in Southwest Florida jumped to their best showing in nearly 13 years during the third quarter, as incoming retirees drove demand for new housing. Builders broke ground on 1,888 local single-family homes during the July-September period, an annual starts pace of 6,352 homes that marked the highest total since late 2006, according to a new report by data supplier Metrostudy. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Businessman looking to privatize city parking will join JEA board

The Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday allowed local businessman Dane Grey to join JEA’s board of directors. Grey’s effort to join the board encountered resistance from council members who questioned his independence — he’s a friend of JEA CEO Aaron Zahn, and his company is courting City Hall to privatize the city’s public parking — although his supporters prevailed in a 12-to-6 vote. More from the Florida Times-Union.