Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jun 2014
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2014 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Note: Rarely prints out-of-state LTEs.
Author: Benjamin Pollara
Page: A10
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n506/a04.html

MEDICAL POT: YAY OR NAY?

Beth Kassab, in her Tuesday column "Politics coloring medical 
marijuana debate in Florida," dismisses the notion of "Reefer 
Madness"-redux in the first line, but then proceeds to make an 
argument that can only be described as such.

Like the hysterics and political grandstanders opposing Amendment 2, 
her column seeks to conflate Florida's medical-marijuana push to the 
adult-use legalization recently implemented in Colorado - which it 
plainly is not.

She cites studies of casual marijuana use as well as a recent column 
by The New York Times' Maureen Dowd to make the case against the 
Florida initiative. In doing so, she ignores the text of Amendment 2, 
the Supreme Court's interpretation of that text and the wisdom of the 
Florida electorate.

Fortunately for the sick and suffering residents of our state who can 
benefit from the passage of Amendment 2, poll after poll shows 
Florida to be broadly supportive of medical marijuana while being 
split or opposed to its wider legalization - despite efforts by 
Kassab and others to confuse them.

Kassab gets one thing right: Floridians will see past this misleading 
rhetoric and approve Amendment 2 this November.

Benjamin Pollara Campaign manager, United for Care
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom