$AGTK Announcing Florida Trumps Vote With Yes On Amendment 2

Amendment 2 recognizes marijuana as a treatment for ten (10) specified conditions and diseases:

• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV
• AIDS
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis

The passing of Amendment 2 also allows Florida state licensed physicians to recommend marijuana for patients with other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated. The Florida amendment will take effect on January 3rd 2017, after which the Florida Department of Health has six months to issue regulations for patients, caregivers (who help patients obtain and use marijuana), and medical marijuana treatment centers (which produce and dispense the drug).

Home cultivation is not permitted, and the department is charged with setting presumptive possession limits for patients. The state is expected to start issuing identification cards to qualifying patients and caregivers within nine months, and if it fails to do so a doctor’s certification will authorize access to medical marijuana.

As in 2014, the top financial supporter of Amendment 2 was Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan, a major Democratic donor, while the top financial supporter the opposition campaign was casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, a major Republican donor and ardent pot prohibitionist who hopes to expand his business into Florida. But while opponents of medical marijuana spent almost as much as supporters in 2014, they were outspent almost 2 to 1 this year.

This year’s version has a narrower definition of “debilitating medical condition” and clarifies the requirement for obtaining consent from parents of patients younger than 18. A law that took effect at the beginning of last year allows the use of low-THC, noncombusted marijuana by Florida residents with cancer or “a physical medical condition that chronically products symptoms of seizures or severe and persistent muscle spasms.” Amendment 2 applies to a wider range of conditions, give patients access to high-THC marijuana, and lets them smoke it.

Florida is one of multiple states voting on medical cannabis this election season. Amendment 2, the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, would let licensed physicians prescribe medical marijuana.

“We remember 2014 very well and losing our vote then by a narrow margin of 3% being the first public company within the cannabis sector headquartered in south Florida. This is the first of many extraordinary steps in a positive direction for our sector in the state. We are not planning on getting involved as we have done in the past on land purchases, seeking licenses to grow or any large infrastructure plays. Our plan is simple and strategic with the strongest foothold having the most knowledge within the sector in Florida. We plan to essentially be in the pick and shovel business. We already have one of the foremost physicians in the industry on our advisory board Dr. Stephen Holt, to help build a coalition among doctors who will be able to distribute medical marijuana under the new law. We have contracts in place with the largest encapsulation company based in Florida to provide pills or capsules to those patients who qualify and would most likely not smoke. We have just negotiated our license to distribute infused lozenges and gum tablets which may be infused with THC or CBD under a proprietary process which would be the most preferred delivery system for children with epilepsy and the elderly”, stated B. Michael Friedman, CEO of Agritek Holdings Inc.

“Agritek Holdings’ experience, Florida roots, public status and established relationships with physicians, vendors and knowledge of the science of cannabis will truly make us a meaningful partner as Florida moves towards the legalization process,” further stated Friedman.

About Agritek Holdings, Inc.

Agritek Holdings, Inc., a pioneer within the medicinal marijuana space, provides innovative technology and agricultural solutions and seeks to be the leader in Compassionate Care Technology for the recreational cannabis industry. Agritek Holdings, Inc. does not directly grow, harvest, or distribute or sell cannabis or any substances that violate or contravene United States law or the Controlled Substances Act, nor does it intend to do so in the future.