Pubdate: Sat, 25 Oct 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: Adam H. Putnam Note: Adam H. Putnam is the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. Page: 22A MARIJUANA AMENDMENT POORLY WRITTEN While Amendment 2 may have good intentions-to provide relief to Floridians suffering from serious illnesses-the poorly written language of the amendment will have irreversible, unintended consequences on our reputation as a family-friendly and business-friendly state. Gaping holes in the amendment language will open the floodgates for widespread marijuana use in Florida. Any patient who suffers debilitating diseases "or other conditions" would qualify for medical marijuana, meaning anyone with as much as a headache could buy pot. With no restrictions on age, even our children-who are at highest risk of the long-term effects from marijuana-will be able to access this gateway drug. Research shows that one in six kids who try marijuana will become addicted to it, and drug use among minors can impair critical brain development. And without restrictions on use in the workplace, there's nothing to keep people from working while under the influence. Marijuana use results in short-term memory problems and impaired thinking. It reduces alertness, concentration and reaction time. These side effects make for a dangerous workplace, as workers who smoke pot are 55 percent more likely to be involved in an accident and 85 percent more prone to suffering an injury while on the job. We've worked hard to make Florida the best place to live, work and raise a family. Don't let Florida go to pot now. Vote no on Amendment 2. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom