Pubdate: Wed, 22 Oct 2014
Source: Florida Times-Union (FL)
Copyright: 2014 The Florida Times-Union
Contact:  http://www.jacksonville.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/155
Author: Ultima Morgan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)
Note: Ultima Morgan of Lake Mary is married to John Morgan, who has 
been leading the effort for Amendment 2.

FLORIDA NEEDS MEDICAL MARIJUANA

I've been married to John Morgan for 31 years.

While I love him dearly, we are almost always on the opposite sides 
of political issues.

As John says, whenever we vote, we cancel each other out.

This election, that will not be the case -- at least on the issue of 
medical marijuana. It was over a year ago that John talked to me 
before getting involved in this campaign.

I told him that as long as this was only about medical marijuana and 
helping people like my brother-in-law Tim, this was a campaign that 
he and I could agree on.

So, as John's wife, as a mother of four and as a Florida voter, I am 
a proud supporter of medical marijuana and strongly encourage my 
fellow Floridians to vote "yes" on Amendment 2 this fall.

Opponents and Smokescreens

Let me be absolutely clear: I am vehemently opposed to the 
legalization of marijuana. The recreational use of marijuana has no 
place in our society, and if that were on the ballot, I would not 
only vote against it but campaign against it with all my heart.

Amendment 2 is about medical marijuana and only for people suffering 
from debilitating diseases and medical conditions. The amendment 
language says that in plain English, and the Florida Supreme Court 
affirmed that in their decision to place the amendment on the 2014 ballot.

That is why it is so confusing and upsetting that opponents of 
Amendment 2 continue to mislead the voters into thinking that this is 
about something other than providing medicine to suffering people.

I'm not as involved in politics as John, but I am an engaged observer 
of the process and a lawyer, so I know how to make and dissect an argument.

The argument I hear from the opposition is that you and I, the 
voters, are being tricked by Amendment 2 and that it is about the 
legalization of marijuana, not about medicine.

I think that is a cynical ploy and shows a basic lack of respect for 
the intelligence of the Florida electorate.

Let Physicians Decide

My brother, Mike Degnan, is a physician in Haines City. He was family 
physician of the year in 1996.

I don't know how he feels about medical marijuana, but I trust my 
brother to be able to make the right decisions for his patients, 
including the decision to recommend medical marijuana -- and I 
generally trust my doctors. Most Floridians feel the way that I do.

If we pass Amendment 2, my brother will have the freedom to recommend 
marijuana to people like my brother-in-law, Tim Morgan, without 
either party having to fear criminal or professional ramifications.

Tim is paralyzed from the neck down, he's lived through two bouts of 
cancer and he's dealt with heart disease to boot.

Being Tim Morgan has not been easy and is terribly painful every single day.

If not for marijuana, Tim would barely be able to get out of bed in 
the morning; he would have to take huge doses of dangerous, addictive 
narcotics to manage his pain; he would not be the loving husband, 
father and productive member of society that he is today.

Amendment 2 isn't just for Tim. Medical marijuana can help those 
undergoing cancer treatments, suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and 
numerous other terrible diseases and conditions.

I am aware that my husband is not universally loved. Some voters may 
be skeptical when he tells them to vote "yes" on Amendment 2.

Don't take it from John, take it from me. Vote yes on Amendment 2. 
Help ease the suffering of Tim and thousands of others like him.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard