TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Joe Redner is still fighting for his right to grow his own marijuana for medical purposes.
- Joe Redner fighting court appeal of his growing medical marijuana
- Oral arguments for Redner's marijuana rights start today
- Decision expected in 2-3 months, to be decided by appellate judges
Redner, Tampa's 78-year-old strip club king, won the right to grow his own marijuana last year but the state appealed and now the matter is being left up to appellate judges to decide.
"If they get it right, if they go with the constitution," Redner said. "It's going to benefit everyone in Florida and it'll be a big deal."
Oral arguments begin Tuesday in Tallahassee.
Redner won his case last April, suing successfully to grow marijuana to treat his prostate cancer and stage 4 lung cancer.
A month later, the Department of Health appealed the decision, with the court blocking him from growing until the appeal was decided.
At issue - is Redner's right under the law passed by voters to allow the use of medical marijuana so long as it is recommended by a doctor.
Redner said the law is black and white but he is already prepared if the appeals court blocks him from growing.
"Then we go to the Supreme Court of Florida," Redner said. "And if we lose there because they are all staunch conservatives too they don't care about the constitution, if we lose there when they reschedule it federally, then we go sue them in federal court."
It could be up to two or three months before the appeals court issues a ruling.
If the state's appeal is denied, that may be the end of the case.
Still, Gov. Ron DeSantis has indicated he may not be as interested in pursuing medical marijuana cases as his predecessor Rick Scott was.