Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jun 2014
Source: Palm Beach Post, The (FL)
Copyright: 2014 The Palm Beach Post
Contact:  http://www.palmbeachpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333
Author: Sonja Isger
Page: B6

CHAMBER DEBATES POT TODAY AT BREAKFAST

Medical Marijuana Event Is Open to the Public at $35 Per Ticket.

WEST PALM BEACH - Florida voters will decide this November whether 
the state should expand its freshly minted but narrowly defined rules 
for the use of medical marijuana.

The arguments in favor or against have long matured, leaving the 
plant's tie-dyed images buried in a conversation that now invokes 
references to industry, economics, cultivating and marketing.

So, there was little pause when the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm 
Beaches decided the matter was worth a debate.

That debate begins at 7:30 a.m. today at the Palm Beach County 
Convention Center during the chamber's breakfast.

The event is open to the public.

Tickets can be bought at the door for $35.

But if you're already booked, or saving your cash, you can follow 
along at palmbeachpost.com/potdebate.

"Anytime you have a statewide ballot issue in Florida it's important 
that the electorate and the citizenry make themselves aware of the 
issue," said the chamber's CEO Dennis Grady.

"The best service we can provide to business men and women is to 
bring both sides together in a forum and let them speak." And answer questions.

This week Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a bill allowing physicians 
to prescribe Charlotte's Web, a low-THC cannabis used to treat 
patients with cancer or illness that cause seizures, including 
epilepsy in children.

But Amendment 2 would expand the types of marijuana that could be 
used and broaden the spectrum of illnesses it could be used to treat 
to include Lou Gehrig's disease, Parkinson's and HIV/ AIDS.

California passed the first law permitting medical marijuana in 1996.

Now, 23 states (including Florida) and the District of Columbia have 
adopted laws permitting some form of medical marijuana.

The two viewpoints will be argued by Ben Pollara, campaign manager at 
United for Care, the group that campaigned to put the proposal to a 
vote, and Jessica Spencer, statewide coalition director of Vote No on 
2, which has dedicated a website to what it reports are loopholes in 
the amendment that it believes should give voters pause.

Each will be given time to make a case and questions from the 
audience will follow.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom