Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jul 2014
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2014 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mVLAxQfA
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Ben Pollara
Note: Ben Pollara is the campaign manager for United For Care, an 
advocacy group based in Coral Gables that supports medical marijuana.
Page: 14A

FIX FLORIDA'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW

Anyone arguing that the constitutional amendment to allow medical 
marijuana in Florida is inherently flawed because it leaves broad 
authority to the state Department of Health should look to SB1030 to 
see what happens when the department is not given such broad 
authority to do its job.

The state agency held its first public hearing on rulemaking for the 
so-called "Charlotte's Web" law. Since their hands are tied by 
statute crafted by politicians, they are forced to live within those 
political confines, to the displeasure of all involved with the 
process, but more importantly, to the detriment of families who are 
so desperate for this treatment.

The "medical marijuana" law passed by the Legislature has been deeply 
flawed from the outset. To call this "medical marijuana" is analogous 
to passing a law legalizing cheeseburgers made from soy patties and 
non-dairy cheese.

And, by the way, only fast-food joints in operation for 30-plus years 
can produce these burgers. One more thing, only five burger joints 
are allowed across the state and, I forgot, they have to put up a $5 
million bond to apply for a license.

That might be chalked up to humorous, political ineptitude if we were 
actually talking about cheeseburgers. Unfortunately, we're not. We're 
talking about a substance that for many families is of life or death 
importance. Those families are now wishing the Legislature had 
treated it as such while writing the law.

No one at the public hearing seemed happy about the implementation of 
SB1030, and not much can be done about it unless the law is amended 
by lawmakers, or if Florida voters pass Amendment 2 this fall.

If passed, the medical marijuana law would actually give the 
department the opportunity to implement a system that works for 
Florida and for the sick and suffering patients who need this 
medicine. Because Amendment 2 places broad authority in the hands of 
the department, not the politicians, they would be free to do so 
without illogical and ill-conceived restrictions.

During the legislative session, I lauded lawmakers for their courage 
in tackling this issue, albeit in a limited way. But, the more I 
learn about the law, the less there is to laud.

I've come to believe that SB1030 is not an important first step 
toward medical marijuana policy in Florida, but statutory window 
dressing that serves only politics, not people.

The "Charlotte's Web" law was created with kids in mind, but now many 
parents lack the confidence that its implementation will in fact 
bring their families relief.

This process has crystallized a few things for me: Amendment 2 must 
pass this fall. It should be left to competent regulators to 
implement the bill. Legislators should stay as far away from the 
process as possible.

Let the the politicians handle any cheeseburger policies. They may 
bungle that too, but at least lives aren't depending on it.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom