Pubdate: Sun, 26 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: Aaron Bean

MEDICAL MARIJUANA AMENDMENT IS FLAWED

As a father and as a Floridian, I urge my fellow citizens to vote no
on Amendment 2, which would widely legalize the use of medical marijuana.

We all want to help sick people, but the exceptionally broad language
of Amendment 2 would open the door for more drug abuse and endanger
our children. That is not compassion.

The discussion over medical marijuana is worth having. Florida has
already begun to take responsible steps in recognizing the positive
medical properties of certain marijuana strains like Charlotte's Web,
which was legalized during the last legislative session.

This non-euphoric extract administered as drops under the tongue has
been proven to help for many diseases without the negative effects of
smokeable marijuana, and legalizing it was a responsible and
compassionate move.

However, Amendment 2 abandons responsibility and caution in favor of a
larger agenda.

One of the most concerning problems is found in the definition of
debilitating illnesses for which medical marijuana could be prescribed.

The list begins with cancer and glaucoma and ends with "other
conditions for which a physician believes that the medical use of
marijuana would likely outweigh the potential risks for a patient."
That could be almost anything.

For example, a college student could claim test anxiety over his
upcoming physics exam and get a prescription for marijuana.

Another concern that I and others share is how the amendment would
allow self-termed caregivers who are not medical professionals to pick
up and deliver or distribute medical marijuana for up to five patients.

This could potentially make it very easy for unscrupulous people to
profit from drugs intended for patients.

I hope that even those who support the idea of legalizing marijuana
for medical use will acknowledge that this amendment as written is bad
for children and families in Florida.

I join with the Florida Sheriffs Association and many of my colleagues
in voicing my objection to this amendment, and again strongly urge you
to vote no on Amendment 2.

Florida Sen. Aaron Bean, District 4
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MAP posted-by: Richard