Florida’s Growing Influence in the National Medical Marijuana Movement

How Florida Became a Powerhouse in the Medical Marijuana Movement

Florida isn’t just another state in the medical marijuana conversation—it’s becoming a national leader in cannabis advocacy and policy reform. At a recent panel discussion in Tallahassee, prominent voices from the industry gathered to highlight how Florida's approach to medical marijuana is shaping change far beyond its borders.

🔁 From Tragedy to Transformation

Roz McCarthy, founder and CEO of Minorities for Medical Marijuana, began her advocacy journey on a deeply personal note. Her 17-year-old son, diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, was prescribed harsh opioids like Dilaudid and morphine. Wanting a better solution, McCarthy turned to cannabis—not just for her son but eventually for herself, following a debilitating car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury.

“I couldn’t speak clearly. I couldn’t walk. I honestly felt like I was going to die,” McCarthy said. “Cannabis helped me recover and led me to found Black Buddha Cannabis.”

Her story is one of resilience, using her pain as fuel to create platforms focused on health equity, social justice, and education.

🌱 A State That Leads the Way

McCarthy emphasized Florida’s key role:

“Florida, to me, is a state that—where Florida goes, the country goes.”

She pointed to the 2016 medical marijuana ballot initiative, which passed with over 65% support, as a turning point for public acceptance. Today, Florida has more than 750,000 registered medical marijuana patients, with numbers continuing to grow in 2025.

🔄 From Incarceration to Innovation

Ryan Basore, CEO of Redemption Cannabis, shared his journey from prison to policy reform. Once convicted for conspiracy to manufacture marijuana, he now advocates for cannabis as a safe and effective alternative to opioids.

“You can’t overdose on it like you can with pills,” he said.

Basore now travels across Michigan speaking at town halls, educating communities about alternative relief options like creams, gummies, and even suppositories—many of which offer symptom relief without a psychoactive high.

🤝 Corporate Support & Education Matter

Both McCarthy and Basore highlighted the value of partnerships with Trulieve, one of Florida’s leading cannabis dispensary networks.

McCarthy praised Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers for asking, “What do you need?”—a question that led to real support, not just surface-level conversations.

Basore shared how Trulieve’s operational guidance is helping him refine marketing and promotional strategies, lessons he’s taking back to Michigan to strengthen his own cannabis business.

🧠 Breaking the Stigma Through Facts & Compassion

Education remains the heart of their mission. Both leaders emphasize approaching cannabis skeptics with empathy and accurate information.

McCarthy often meets patients “where they are,” explaining cannabis in terms of medicine, not recreation—especially for those dealing with chronic pain, anxiety, or post-surgical recovery.

Basore adds:

“It’s usually someone who’s exhausted all other options and is finally ready for real relief.”

🌿 Final Thoughts

Florida’s growing influence in medical marijuana isn’t just about legislation—it’s about people. From personal loss to professional leadership, advocates like Roz McCarthy and Ryan Basore are changing minds, reshaping policy, and breaking decades-old stigma with a single message:

Cannabis is medicine. And Florida is leading the way.