The expansion of cannabis access is moving forward by fits and starts in Florida. But for one state senator, a key group of the state’s residents are still being underserved by current regulations. On Wednesday, Gary Farmer, a Broward County Democrat, pushed for the elimination of the $75 annual fee for medical marijuana identification cards for veterans.

In front of the state Senate’s health care appropriations committee, Farmer expressed his dismay that Florida’s 1.5 million vets “should have to pay for the right for the eligibility to get legal medical treatment,”  reports Orlando Weekly.

The state senator reminded the committee of the myriad costs that veterans must navigate in the state’s medical system, including fees for doctor visits and treatment costs.

“So many of our veterans are just struggling so much and I think many of them, frankly, aren’t even aware that this alternative treatment is there,” said Farmer.

His remarks come at a time when Florida officials are pushing to widen access to the state’s medical marijuana program, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters back in 2016. Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an ultimatum to legislators to remove a ban on smokable medical cannabis by March 15.

On Feb. 2, a Leon County circuit judge formally upbraided state health officials and legislators for a cap on cannabis dispensaries that she said, “erects barriers that needlessly increase patients’ costs, risks, and inconvenience, delay access to products, and reduce patients’ practical choice, information, privacy, and safety.”

Farmer’s recent remarks underline the fact that veteran access to cannabis is no inconsequential issue. Studies have confirmed that US veterans are far more likely than the general population to seek medical cannabis

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