Charlotte’s Web growers seek to expand to Florida

By Nick Swyter
@News21

Posted: June 4, 2015

PHOENIX – Florida patients suffering from cancer and seizures are one step closer to accessing the popular Charlotte’s Web marijuana derivative, and others like it.

Last week, a Tallahassee judge threw out the final legal challenge standing in the way of a long-awaited rule that determines how the state will grow and dispense cannabis. It is the state’s first medical marijuana program, and it is only available to patients suffering from cancer, seizures and severe muscle spasms.

Starting on June 17, nurseries can apply for one of Florida’s five licenses to grow marijuana that is low in euphoria-inducing THC, and high in cannabidiol, which has anecdotal success with treating seizures. An official with the Florida Department of Health said she expects the marijuana derivatives to be available early next year through dispensaries.

Charlotte’s Web is the most famous strain of low THC, high CBD cannabis oil.  It is grown by the Stanley brothers of Colorado, who gained national fame by appearing on CNN’s “Weed” documentaries.  They have partnered with the for-profit company Ray of Hope 4 Florida to apply for one of the state’s nursery licenses.

“They will be working with us as consultants to help us work with our chemists and our microbiologists to make sure that we are making the products exactly how they make them in Colorado,” said Ray of Hope 4 Florida’s manager Peyton Moseley, who is the father of RayAnn Moseley, a 12 year-old girl who suffers from seizures.

Peyton Moseley said Ray of Hope 4 Florida has selected a partner nursery, but he would not disclose its name or location.

Peyton’s wife, Holley Moseley, also works closely with the Stanleys. She is the executive director of the Florida division of Realm of Caring, a non-profit established by the Stanley brothers to provide support services to patients who need cannabis-derived products.

However, some parents of children with intractable epilepsy aren’t convinced the popular strain will help. They say CBD’s medical benefits only work when combined with a higher concentration of THC. Under Florida’s law, cannabis oil must have a minimum of 10 percent CBD and 0.8 percent THC.

“Because there are so many restrictions and limitations especially on the THC content, I think we are going to be very limited on the amount of patients who can actually benefit,” said Seth Hyman, a South Florida father whose daughter Rebecca suffers from intractable seizures.

Hyman also cautions parents to understand that Charlotte’s Web is not the only low THC, high CBD cannabis oil.

“When we use the term Charlotte’s Web, we are reinforcing a brand,” Hyman said. “Charlotte’s Web might not necessarily be the right strain or the right chemical make-up that could be effective for a particular patient.”

“We know that it doesn’t work for everybody, but we wanted to make sure that they had that option to at least try it,” Peyton Moseley said.

Follow Nick Swyter on Twitter at @nickswyter