"In the county, they do have one of the top businessmen in the world for cannabis," said Garyn Angel.
Based in Port Richey, MagicalButter.com markets a machine that blends marijuana with butter for making eatables. CEO Garyn Angel says the company is worth more than $20 million and growing.
"We operate in Canada, Australia and the U.K.," Angel said.
Now, Angel wants to bring his connections in the marijuana industry to Pasco County.
"I could bring the top scientists, the top doctors, the top nanotechnology laboratories and really bring this as new medicine and new industry and create an entire surplus of cash," Angel said.
Pasco County is working to extend its current moratorium which bans growing, processing and distribution of marijuana within the county. It's also drafting an ordinance that would ban all marijuana business activity.
"It makes no sense. The first dispensary did open last week and the first shipment went to Hudson. All we're doing is keeping new jobs and industry out of the county," Angel said.
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office presented statistics from Colorado where all marijuana is legal to the county commission citing increased crime near dispensaries and more marijuana-related traffic deaths.
In a statement Sheriff Chris Nocco said, "It is the citizen's choice, however, they need to evaluate the unintended consequences in Colorado."
Angel said he is committed to the potential legal medical marijuana business.
"With medicine what people are looking for is hope and cannabis gives people more hope, especially when applied with the right research and standards," Angel said.
Polls indicate, come November, all of Florida will need to somehow resolve its cannabis controversy.
The ordinance to ban all marijuana business in Pasco will have two public hearings. The ban would also create regulations as a backup plan in case the ordinance was challenged in court.
