June 5, 2019

Orlando, FL – Lowndes is pleased to announce that attorney Tara Tedrow has been appointed to the inaugural Florida Hemp Advisory Committee by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried.

The Florida Hemp Advisory Committee was created with the passing of Senate Bill 1020, which established a state hemp program that could stand to generate 20 to 30 billion in annual revenue for the state.

"I see industrial hemp as not only the cure for our environmental issues — it uses less water, less fertilizer, it's biodegradable, it actually puts nutrients back into the soil — it's something that's going to be amazing for our environment," said Fried about the importance of creating a hemp industry in Florida.

Tedrow is the chair of the Cannabis & Controlled Substances Group. Tedrow's practice focuses on land use and development, as she works with clients statewide on entitling projects for commercial, residential, industrial, office, and mixed uses. The other side of Tedrow's practice entails working with clients in complex regulated industries such as alcoholic beverage and medical marijuana licensing. Tedrow is a regular presenter and speaker at industry seminars and conferences and advises a variety of clients on the impacts of marijuana regulations. Tedrow works with physicians, lenders, real estate developers, landlords, ancillary service providers, licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and Medical Marijuana Treatment Center license applicants, helping them to navigate the ever changing regulatory landscape of medical marijuana. Additionally, Tedrow serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she is the first to teach a course on medical marijuana law and policy. Tedrow also serves on many boards, including the Winter Park Economic Development Advisory Board, the Orange County School Impact Fee Study Advisory Committee, Ninth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (as vice-chair), and as the chair of the Crummer Leadership Business Advisory Board at Rollins College in Winter Park. She is the first female ever to be appointed for this position. Tara was also appointed to Gov. Ron DeSantis' Transition Advisory Committee on Government Operations.

Additionally, Tedrow has been an active member of the debate community since high school, where she won multiple national championships and was ranked one of the top speakers in the nation. Her involvement in debate extended beyond her own education, as she continues to coach individuals around the country. In 2013, she founded the Central Florida Debate Initiative, which works to bring competitive speech and debate to every high school student in Central Florida. Tara has her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and her law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

Founded in Orlando, Florida in 1969, Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A., is a multi-discipline business law firm. Our attorneys represent corporate, entrepreneurial and individual clients across a myriad of industries locally, nationally and beyond our borders, from offices in Orlando, Mount Dora and Melbourne, and through Meritas, an established global alliance of independent law firms offering local insight, local rates and world-class client service. LOCAL ROOTS. BROAD REACH.SM

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.