Pubdate: Sun, 24 Nov 2013
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2013 The Tribune Co.
Contact: http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-letters/
Website: http://www.tampatrib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Author: Chris Ingram

MORGAN AND GEE: SHOULD MEDICAL MARIJUANA BE LEGAL?

Thanks to a well-funded effort by ubiquitous trial lawyer John 
Morgan, Florida voters are likely to get the opportunity to vote for, 
or against, approving the use of medical marijuana next November.

For most supporters, the issue of medical marijuana is a highly 
emotional issue based on personal beliefs and scientific evidence 
that is often criticized by the establishment. Meanwhile, opponents 
say approving marijuana usage for medicinal purposes is a mere foot 
in the door that will eventually lead to approval of recreational 
marijuana use. That, they say, will lead to greater use of harder 
drugs and create more societal ills.

Personally, I have never used marijuana or other illegal drugs, and 
wondered what all the fuss is about. But I know plenty of people 
across the social spectrum who smoke pot, and it seems no more 
harmful than alcohol. The libertarian in me says take a laissez-faire 
approach: If it does no harm, let the individual decide for himself.

The "facts" on medical marijuana are as diverse as the people who 
smoke it. Credible studies from one side are countered with 
convincing conclusions by the other - and both sides have strong and 
plausible points.

At over $40 billion annually, enforcing our nation's marijuana laws 
is expensive. Pot is big business not just for dealers, but for those 
who enforce our drug laws. And marijuana has the potential to be a 
boon for the pharmaceutical industry. If scientists are able to 
package the benefits of marijuana into a pill, it would be a gold 
mine for the drug companies. Those companies have a vested interest 
in keeping weed unavailable to patients in its natural state.

For the pro-legalization point of view, I spoke at length on two 
occasions with Morgan. To date, Morgan has put more than $1 million 
of his own money to get the medical marijuana issue on the ballot next year.

For the opposing view, I spent a day with Hillsborough County Sheriff 
David Gee, discussing the issue as we patrolled the streets and went 
on a scheduled security check over Hillsborough County in a sheriff's 
office helicopter. Gee: The case against legalization

David Gee is on the front-lines of fighting crime and sees the 
effects of drugs on society every day. He is someone I trust and respect.

As we navigated over Tampa Bay and eastern parts of Hillsborough 
County, he pointed out where drug smuggling operations used to occur 
"in the old days." He said these days, marijuana isn't frequently 
smuggled into the country or grown outdoors. Rather, it's more often 
grown indoors because it's less susceptible to bugs and the weather, 
less obvious to law enforcement, and cheaper to grow due to higher yields.

The sheriff also says today's marijuana is far stronger than the pot 
of the '60s, '70s or '80s.

As for distribution, he said with resigned frustration, "They just 
put it in the mail."

"Drugs are at the heart of almost everything we do. [They are] 
related to almost every crime we see out there," the sheriff said.

That's a lot of drug-related crime for sure. In the last several 
years, Hillsborough County's jail averages between 55,000 and 75,000 
inmates who enter its confines a year. On any given day, the massive 
Falkenburg Road jail houses about 3,000 inmates. Just a few years 
ago, that daily average was closer to 5,000, but electronic 
monitoring has helped lower the inmate population and save taxpayer dollars.

According to Gee, nothing good can come from marijuana legalization 
in any form, and its usage just creates more problems - especially 
among juveniles.

"Our [deputies in the schools] see the consequences. Kids get hooked 
on the euphoria. Then they become truant. They're truant because they 
are out committing burglaries, because it's an expensive habit," he said.

"A kid gets jammed up a couple of times, and they're now on a path to 
nowhere," he said, referring to kids who end up in jail and in court. 
"It's not a very forgiving system."

According to Gee, if you legalize marijuana more kids will use it, 
just as they abuse alcohol, which is readily available. And those 
kids, according to the sheriff, will create a lot more problems for 
society than they already do.

The sheriff asked rhetorically, "Do we really want a society that is 
not sober?"

I reminded the sheriff that our current president - and two 
presidents before him - all admitted to smoking pot (though one said 
he didn't inhale), and I asked him if he has ever used any illegal drugs.

In his matter-of-fact tone, he said, "No. I have not personally [ever 
used any illegal drugs]." It's the answer I expected from this 
straight-laced lawman. What I didn't expect was his follow-up comment.

"Talking about the recent presidents using illegal drugs, and then 
look at the state of our country - it makes you wonder..." he said, 
as his voice trailed off.

Morgan: Case for legialization

Morgan's impressive law practice is based out of an office tower in 
downtown Orlando. He spends millions a year on TV pitching his "for 
the people" law firm that has 17 offices in six states. His Orlando 
office is well-appointed and includes a faux courtroom, where 
witnesses and lawyers can rehearse their testimony and courtroom sessions.

Prior to interviewing Morgan, I wasn't a fan. Admittedly, on occasion 
I have referred to him as an ambulance-chaser. Although the phone 
interview went well, I wasn't sure what kind of guy he was going to 
be in person. But in a matter of seconds after he walked into the 
conference room to meet me, I was impressed with his sincerity - 
which was flavored with more than an ounce of spice. Morgan doesn't 
sugarcoat what he thinks.

Morgan's interest in medicinal marijuana has its roots in his family. 
Before his father died, his dad smoked marijuana to overcome pain and 
lack of appetite related to the esophageal cancer that ultimately 
took his life. Morgan's brother is a quadriplegic who has used 
marijuana for years to overcome chronic pain.

As with the sheriff, I asked Morgan if he himself has ever smoked 
pot, and he said, "No. I am not a user." "But I've partied with the 
best of them, Pam Bondi being one of them. We've had some great 
Gasparillas together," he said of Florida's Republican attorney 
general, who opposes medical marijuana.

Morgan claims hundreds of thousands of people in Florida will benefit 
from his efforts. He talks of kids with epilepsy and cancer patients 
who are being denied a way to deal with their pain, anxiety and-or 
lack of appetite.

He has strong words for drugs like Xanax and Oxycontin, which he 
notes are highly addictive, kill thousands of people a year due to overdoses.

He is genuine and passionate in his pitch; but questions about his 
motives run rampant among Tallahassee political insiders who theorize 
the marijuana initiative is a red herring to help Charlie Crist get 
elected governor by driving Democratic turn-out.

"I don't believe this is a Democrat or Republican issue," he said. He 
also told me that President Barack Obama's pollster told him last 
year that as it relates to turnout, the medical marijuana issue, 
"doesn't move it at all."

"There are going to be people who are going to vote for medical 
marijuana who are going to be staunch Republicans and they're going 
to vote for Rick Scott. The two have nothing to do with each other," he said.

Morgan is a loyal Democrat who has supported liberal groups such as 
ACORN, Obama, and now, Democrat Charlie Crist. But his wife, Ultima, 
whom he described as "hot," and "an angel," is a socially 
conservative Republican, who is a dedicated opponent of abortion.

"She is going to vote for a bunch of Republicans, but she's also 
going to vote for medical marijuana," he said.

Still, a lot of Republicans and even some Democrats in Tallahassee 
oppose legalization.

Morgan's frustration with politicians and the process was transparent 
as he described being denied the opportunity to get a hearing before 
the Legislature last year.

"These people in Tallahassee have too much time on their hands. They 
ought to go get a real job. And if they really want to do something, 
let's have testimony. Let people come in and explain it...Let 
[celebrity doctor] Sanjay Gupta explain why he changed his mind. ... 
Bring Sheriff Gee and Pam Bondi who oppose it, let them sit down and 
have a dialogue and discourse [with us]. And then let's have a vote," he says.

"And if they want to undo what they say is my plan to have people 
come out and vote for Charlie Crist, just do the right thing and pass 
it [in the Legislature] this spring," he said.

Conclusion

It is unlikely Morgan's challenge will be taken up by the GOP-led 
Legislature. However, I'm sure if Morgan called him, Gee would gladly 
discuss legalization issues. But the sheriff's view is deeply held.

"I think medical marijuana is just not valid," Gee said. "There are 
studies on both sides. But it's a segue into [approval of] 
recreational marijuana, and I don't think we need more of those 
problems. I don't buy the argument that legalization would reduce crime."

The sheriff should know, he's been fighting crime in Hillsborough 
County since he was 18 years old.

Morgan says his view is also one of conviction and that his motives are pure.

"I'm not doing this to make me feel good. I'm doing it to make other 
people feel good," he said.

After researching the issue, and listening to both of these 
intelligent and accomplished men, I remain more confused than ever.

I don't want to see marijuana legalized for recreational or medicinal 
purposes because of the dangers cited by Gee. On the other hand, I 
would want it available to me if I were afflicted with some dreadful 
disease. Kind of like despising trial lawyers until you need one, it 
is easy to disparage a drug like marijuana until you need it.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom