MEDICAL MARIJUANA LICENSES Two Black farmers have received licenses to grow, process and sell medical marijuana, after a new state law earmarked a dozen licenses for Black farmers. The Florida Department of Health issued the licenses on July 11th to Suwannee County farmer Terry Donnell Gwinn and Shedrick McGriff of Jackson County. A $5 million bond by each farmer was required. Voters approved a constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana for medical purposes in 2017. None of initial licenses were issued to Black farmers until last September after a law was passed to designate Black farmers as license recipients.
SCHOOL THREAT ASSESSMENT A school threat assessment study performed by the University of Virginia found that Florida’s program to avert threats to schools through intervention has been very successful. A very small number, 0.23 percent, of overall threats resulted in serious injuries
BROADBAND GRANT FUNDING More than $86 million will be available to expand broadband internet to new and existing community centers. Over $226 million has already been allocated to 53 counties to expand broadband access to unserved areas. Applications are due October 3rd. More information may be found here.
RESILIENCE PROJECTS The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has awarded $300 million for 74 resilience and adaptation projects to prepare coastal and inland communities for the adverse impacts of flooding and storm surge. You may see the project list here.