A former attorney for the state health department filed a lawsuit against the agency on behalf of a woman who claims the state’s new medical marijuana framework is unconstitutional.
The lawsuit states that the legislation known as the Unity Bill takes away the due process rights of a licensed patient. It also alleges the language of the law wrongly gives the Health Department authority to take disciplinary action against commercial licensees for any reason it deems appropriate.
The lawsuit seeks to block the new law’s implementation.
The attorney bringing the suit is Julie Ezell, the former general counsel for the state health department. She resigned last June and is facing felony charges for sending herself threatening emails while she worked on medical marijuana emergency rules.
Ezell now has her own private practice. The next court hearing in her felony case is March 26.
Provisions of the Unity Bill are set to take effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns.