Florida Cannabis Action Network turned 25 on October 26, 2023. Jodi James, our former executive director, and current president hosted FLCAN’s first VP Scott Bledsoe in a 1 hour Facebook live event to discuss the origins of FLCAN from Scott’s perspective. Former presidents Cathy Jordan, Ethel Rowland, and Maria Hurley joined the meeting to help celebrate.

This impromptu gathering to mark the 25th Anniversary turned into a really interesting retrospective on 25 years of advocacy in Florida. Scott Bledsoe moved to California in 2006. Like so many other drug war refugees who fled Florida, Scott is now reaping the benefits of living in a quasi-legal state.

This program reaches through time to the origins of the Florida Cannabis Action Network, it recounts victories in the courts, victories in the legislature, and victories in hearts and minds. Most importantly you hear five ‘generations’ of FLCAN leadership talking about the WAR they fought during their term as leadership.

During the early days of FLCAN the battle was being fought in the media – Scott was instrumental in bringing FLCAN into the digital age even hosting our first website. During that era, the organization generated millions in gained media and spent hundreds of thousands in goodwill with attorneys who won newsworthy victories!

Under Cathy Jordan’s leadership, the organization pushed the legislature to accept the medical use of Cannabis. We worked with United for Care and other supporting groups to protect patients who need medical cannabis. Cathy was a leading plaintiff in the lawsuit to allow smokeable forms of cannabis flower in Florida. Her medical necessity case in 2013 propelled the discussion about the need for a constitutional amendment to protect patients.

Ethel Rowland served as we transitioned our message from SAVE the Patient, to save us all. She is the face of the recreational user. She finds the current market complicated and confusing like so many other people in our state.

Maria Hurley reminds us who we serve and how regulations can’t be ignored. Her tenure as president found the marketplace exploding with new products, underground events, and millions of new users trying Cannabis products.

From the few to the many. When FLCAN started three people in Florida had safe, legal access to Cannabis. Today over 850,000 people can purchase products for use in their own homes.

Cannabis Action Network has been here to help write the history of the movement. If you’d like to share your Cannabis Action Network story as it relates to Florida please reach out. We’re committed to remembering the fullness of Florida Cannabis Action Network’s impact on marijuana policy in Florida through CAN 365. CAN 365 is a production aimed at remembering the heroes of the Florida efforts by highlighting 365 days in the life of FLCAN.