Florida's Latest News

Gov. DeSantis calls on Biden administration to approve drug importation plan

Gov. Ron DeSantis called Friday on the Biden administration to approve the state’s plan to import prescription drugs from Canada.

DeSantis introduced an importation program in February 2019 bringing Floridians closer to purchasing federally approved drugs from Canada. Former President Donald Trump cleared a federal hurdle for importation programs last year, but the state’s plan still awaits the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s green light.

Outpatient prescription drug prices nationwide increased from $177 billion to $500 billion between 2003 and 2020. The state estimates its plan could save Floridians between $80 million and $150 million.

Florida’s top environmental official, Noah Valenstein, is resigning

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein will step down as department head next month.

In a resignation letter sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this month, Valenstein noted his final day would be June 4.

“I look forward to continuing to serve in the environmental community and am excited to see the next steps as this environmental movement continues,” said Valenstein, who did not specify his plans for the future.

Former Gov. Rick Scott initially appointed Valenstein DEP Secretary in 2017, and DeSantis kept him on when he took office in 2019.

Poll shows Charlie Crist with massive lead over Nikki Fried among Democratic voters

Charlie Crist opens the 2022 gubernatorial race with a solid majority of Florida Democrats ready to back him, while few Democrats show confidence that his likely Democratic rival Nikki Fried would have much chance to oust Gov. Ron DeSantis.

A new poll from St. Pete Polls survey, commissioned by Florida Politics, finds the former Republican Governor turned Democratic Congressman is a commanding favorite over the state Agriculture Commissioner if the Democratic primary were held now between Crist and Fried.

The poll shows nearly 55% of registered Democratic voters would vote for Crist.

State Supreme Court upholds Florida’s medical marijuana business rules

In a setback to companies hoping to enter one of state’s fastest growing industries, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday that state medical marijuana regulations are likely legal.

In a decision released in the case of Florida Department of Health v. Florigrown, LLC, justices found that Florigrown’s challenges to state regulations did not have a “substantial likelihood of success.” It reversed a decision by the First District Court of Appeal to put those rules on hold.

Florigrown, which was denied a license to become a medical marijuana treatment center in 2017, argued that Florida’s regulations do not comply with a 2016 constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana for medical use. More than 71% of voters approved that amendment.