With plenty of breathing room before a March 15 deadline set by Gov. Ron DeSantis, House and Senate leaders have neared completion of a measure that would do away with a state ban on smoking medical marijuana.

Sen. Jeff Brandes and Rep. Ray Rodrigues confirmed Wednesday they’ve reached an accord on a proposal that would allow patients to purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for smoking every 35 days, ban smoking of medical marijuana in public places and allow terminally ill children to smoke the treatment, but only if they have a second opinion from a pediatrician.

On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., with other Florida Republicans, brought back a proposal making Daylight Savings Time (DST) permanent across the country. 

Last March, Rubio unveiled the “Sunshine Protection Act” after the Florida Legislature passed a bill calling on Congress to make DST permanent across the Sunshine State. Rubio reintroduced the bill this week. 

The divisions and battles in politics are something most of us have come to expect. However, mostly what we are used to are those battles across the aisle involving party lines. It's a little different when you witness a conflict erupting between a politician and the heads of a government agency. 

But, when Ted Deutch is that politician, the surprise is diminished.

Following a roundtable discussion with Floridians and healthcare leaders to hear their personal stories of dealing with soaring prescription drug costs this week, Sen. Rick Scott spoke to the Federation of American Hospitals to share his commitment to finding common-sense solutions to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for Florida families.

Read his remarks as prepared for delivery below: