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Manatee woman thrilled about Gov. DeSantis' decision allowing medical marijuana patients to smoke

Posted at 4:12 PM, Mar 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-19 19:10:49-04

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Cathy Jordan has been fighting for twenty years for legalized medical marijuana. It helps treat her pain from ALS. She had one victory in 2016 when Florida voters overwhelmingly voted in favor of medical marijuana.

Former Governor Rick Scott allowed for vapes, oils, and capsules, but outlawed smoking of medical marijuana. Governor Ron DeSantis changed all of that yesterday by signing a new measure into law.

“Whether they have to smoke it or not, who am I to judge that, I want people to have their suffering relieved,” said DeSantis.

Jordan said she was so relieved when the governor made the announcement. She has been smoking marijuana for years to relieve her symptoms despite state law.

“If I could not smoke I would die,” said Jordan.

Now, dispensaries are looking at selling smokeable marijuana. Jordan is hoping the new law changes how people perceive medical marijuana patients.

“This medicine is keeping me alive,” said Jordan.

The new law takes effect immediately.