Pubdate: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2014 The Tribune Co. Contact: http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-letters/submit/ Website: http://tbo.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446 Author: Don Enslinger Page: A15 AMENDMENT 2 A DANGER TO OUR HEALTH, FAMILIES AND QUALITY OF LIFE Special to The Tampa Tribune Earlier this year I joined with Florida's sheriffs to support recently passed legislation that legalized a specific strain of non-euphoric medical marijuana low in THC, known as Charlotte's Web, because it can aid in the treatment of epileptic seizures in children. In contrast, Amendment 2 to the Florida Constitution will hurt more people than it could ever help. As the sheriff of Seminole County, I believe that passage of Amendment 2 will lead to serious health and public safety consequences for our communities, our children, our families, and our quality of life. People might be surprised to hear that legalized marijuana in other states is already providing a steady supply of pot to drug dealers here in ours. In Seminole County, in the past 18 months alone, more than 90 percent of the marijuana we intercepted in our county was purchased lawfully in states that allow marijuana for either medical or recreational use. Bear in mind, this is not the low-grade marijuana of the 1970s. The potency of marijuana has strengthened, making it more harmful than ever before. If Florida passes Amendment 2, we could become the South's newest drug dealer, and easily the biggest supplier to our neighboring southern states. Additionally, other states that have legalized marijuana for recreational or medicinal purposes have seen vast increases in accidental exposures and hospitalizations, especially in children, and directly as a result of the exposure to edible marijuana products. Amendment 2 is grossly incomplete, flawed, and dangerous. There are no prescriptions needed. Amendment 2 states that a physician only needs to 'certify' in writing that the patient suffers from a 'debilitating medical condition,' and he or she believes 'the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks.' The patient then goes to a 'Medical Marijuana Treatment Center,' the locations where marijuana is distributed. As we have seen in other states, we fully expect doctors will make profits by opening marijuana dispensaries ('treatment centers') next door to their offices in order to easily deal to those who they have just 'diagnosed.' Initial assessments indicate there will be more than 400,000 'patients,' and that servicing them will require nearly 1,800 treatment centers. These centers will crop up in our community in strip malls, near our schools, and by our recreation areas. Amendment 2 also provides for 'caregivers.' These are people who get special medical marijuana identification cards and 'assist' patients in using marijuana. They are not required to be medical professionals, they don't need to have any medical training, and there are no background checks required. They will just need to be 21 years of age. They don't even have to reside in our state. There are no age requirements for patients. Shockingly, under Amendment 2, children can be provided marijuana from a physician or a caregiver without parental consent. Studies have shown that frequent use by teenagers leads to a decrease in brain function over time. Marijuana use and abuse is already a concern in our youth, and by increasing the availability of products such as: 'Pot-Tarts,' 'Krondike Bars,' 'nugtella,' and 'Stoney Ranchers,' will only serve to worsen the problem. It took years for us to harness the prescription drug epidemic. Amendment 2 would bring the same problems all over again. I encourage members of our community to read the language closely. Unlike a law passed during a legislative session that can be fixed as unforeseen consequences arise, Amendment 2 changes the Florida Constitution and would be virtually impossible to modify or undo. And there is absolutely no accountability in place. Amendment 2 includes language that removes all criminal and civil liability at every level of the marijuana chain. Put all this together, and Florida will have an unbreakable and unenforceable supply chain that provides marijuana to anyone who wants to get high. Don Eslinger has served as Seminole County sheriff since 1991. He is a member of the Florida Sheriffs Association and a supporter of the Don't Let Florida Go to Pot Coalition. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt