Latest news with #TracieDavis
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New regulations on hemp products in Florida introduced in Legislature
Hemp being grown indoors for flower to produce CBD oil. (Florida A&M University hemp pilot project report to Florida Senate Agriculture Committee) During the past two legislative sessions, Florida lawmakers have attempted to impose significant restrictions on hemp products that industry officials said would have been devastating to their bottom line. Although a measure did pass last spring, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it in June. Now a 2025 version of the legislation has been filed, this time by Duval County Democratic Sen. Tracie Davis (SB 1030). Her measure calls for a number of provisions to restrict the hemp industry, including: Putting limitations on Delta-9 THC levels in hemp products, restricting them to 2 milligrams per serving and 20 milligrams per container. A ban on Delta 8 products. A ban on hemp extract products from being sold in a form for smoking — with a third violation resulting in the revocation of the violator's license, permit, authorization, certificate, or registration. A ban on the sale of hemp products in gas stations. A ban on locating hemp stores within 500 feet of a school or daycare facility. A ban on advertising the availability of hemp products that is visible to members of the public from any street, sidewalk, park, or other public place. Event organizers could not promote, advertise, or facilitate an event where hemp products are not from an approved source. Hemp locations would be to be subject to random, unannounced inspections by law enforcement. Would prohibit businesses from possessing hemp products that are attractive to children. South Florida Republican Hilary Cassel has filed a measure regulating hemp products (HB 601) in the Florida House. After members of the hemp industry applauded DeSantis for vetoing last year's bill, a number of them later helped fund efforts to prevent the proposed constitutional amendment legalizing the recreational use of cannabis on last November's ballot.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida Democrats file legislation to overturn abortion ban
In an announcement today, Florida Democrats filed legislation to overturn the 6-week abortion ban that went into effect May 1st of last year. This comes after voters failed to overturn the ban during the 2024 election, as the measure did not reach the 60% needed to overturn the law. Senator Tracie Davis (D) introduced new wording to the bill that would eliminate the 6-week ban and would change abortion availability up until viability. Viability is considered around the 24-week mark of pregnancy. Driskell, a Tampa Democrat, says, 'I understand the obvious math, which is that the Democrats are in the minority, and unfortunately, we don't have the numbers that we need to pass this on our own.' Gov. Ron DeSantis, who staunchly opposed Amendment 4 during the last election cycle, recently said, 'Look, we've been able to save lives, and you know that matters to a lot of people.' This comes after Florida reported a 28% drop in abortion rates after the six-week ban was enacted. Click here to download our free news, weather, and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Knowing they don't have the votes, Florida Democrats still aim to repeal abortion ban
Florida Democrats are trying to repeal the state's six-week abortion ban in the Legislature with a bill, saying the 'situation for the women in Florida is dire.' Sen. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, and House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa – the bills' sponsors – and others gathered on a Zoom call Wednesday morning to discuss legislation (SB 280, HB 741) that would allow abortion until viability. The Democrats, who are a superminority in the Legislature, admitted they don't have the votes to pass them but said they hope the bills will invite Republican colleagues 'to have this very important conversation.' 'This is an issue that has always transcended party line, despite the attitude of the Legislature,' said state Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando. Last fall, Amendment 4, which would have enshrined abortion rights in the Florida Constitution, failed with 57% of the vote. In Florida, a ballot initiative needs 60% to pass. Before the election, Gov. Ron DeSantis used millions in taxpayer dollars in a bid to doom Amendment 4 and Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational marijuana. But 57%, or over 6 million votes, was enough for abortion rights advocates to call upon the Legislature to pay attention to the results and repeal the six-week abortion ban. Last fall, however, Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said he would not change the law. "I support our Heartbeat Protection Act because I believe that every life was created by God, and every human being is valuable," he said. "My constituents in District 27 share that view. They expect me to bring their voices to Tallahassee, so again, I would be a 'no'.' House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, also said he backed the result of Amendment 4: 'Amendments to the constitution should be issues that the vast majority of Floridians can unite behind. Amendment 4 failed the threshold of meeting that high standard,' he said in a statement. Democratic leaders said they are worried that information on abortion and maternal mortality isn't being released or reported. The maternal mortality review committee has not published a review in years, even since before the abortion ban took effect, Eskamani said. Driskell added: 'The six week abortion ban is causing confusion; it's causing harm to women. It's causing doctors to not be able to practice as they were trained to do, and it's absolutely resulting in unhealthy outcomes for Florida's families.' Ana Goñi-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network – Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@ This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Democrats in Florida try again to repeal state's 6-week abortion ban
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida lawmakers file legislation to repeal current state abortion law
Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) and Leader Pro Tempore Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville) have filed legislation to 'repeal Florida's near-total abortion ban.' The legislation was announced in a news release on Tuesday. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< This comes after 57% of Floridians voted for Amendment 4 in November. On Wednesday, the pair will hold a virtual news conference to call on other lawmakers to repeal the current abortion law. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Driskell and Davis call the current law 'dangerous and unpopular.' Prime cosponsor Rep. Rita Harris (D-Orlando), and reproductive rights leader Rep. Dr. Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando) will also be at the conference. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
