Pubdate: Wed, 08 Oct 2014
Source: Tampa Bay Times (FL)
Copyright: 2014 St. Petersburg Times
Contact: http://www.sptimes.com/letters/
Website: http://www.tampabay.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419
Note: Named the St. Petersburg Times from 1884-2011.
Author: Michael Sedita
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n790/a08.html

SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE

I was surprised to read the Times recommendation to vote no on the
proposed amendment to legalize medical marijuana. The editors argue
that the language of the amendment is overly broad and that amending
the Constitution is not the way to address the issue.

Yet the amendment has a very clear list of limitations that address at
least some concerns for abuse. It also requires the Department of
Health to issue reasonable regulations necessary to implement and
enforce access to marijuana. It isn't a free-forall.

As far as the appropriate venue for enacting the law, yes, most states
have done so in their legislatures, but others have also gone the
route of amending their constitution. If Florida legislators had the
will to take up the matter, an amendment wouldn't have been necessary.

Florida's Constitution has been amended to protect pregnant pigs and
permit slot machine gaming, both important issues to voters. Clearly,
the protection of patients who need to obtain effective treatment in
the face of outdated laws and serious criminal penalties is at least
as deserving of our consideration.

Michael Sedita, Redington Beach
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MAP posted-by: Richard