Pubdate: Sun, 02 Nov 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: Gary Stein Page: 23A POT CRITICS FULL OF REEFER MADNESS Perhaps it's because people are simply mesmerized by the remarkable charisma and strength of Florida's two gubernatorial candidates. Perhaps it's because people have gone off the deep end after receiving another memo in their inbox asking for a buck, or $10, or $20 from a candidate. Perhaps it's because people are busy deciding if it's cool or not to still rock their Heat jerseys from Mr. Ego, LeBron. Or perhaps it's because people are worried about the infestation of the giant African land snail, which might make a good write-in candidate for governor considering our choices, but that's another story. For whatever reason, it seems Amendment 2 - the medical marijuana amendment - has lost its mojo just days before the election. It seems like just a few hours ago, medical marijuana was a slam-dunk. It had more than 75 percent support in Florida, far more than the 60 percent needed for passage on Tuesday. People were well aware that marijuana could ease some of the pain and suffering of adults - and even younger folks. It could bring relief to people who get nauseated from chemotherapy. It could help people with multiple sclerosis and other diseases. The Florida Department of Health reported 400,000 people in the state might benefit from treatment with medical marijuana. Offering even some bit of relief to people who are suffering is good enough for me. And for a long time, it was good enough for most people. But polls now indicate Amendment 2 is in a real battle to reach the magic 60 percent mark. One poll even said it was "done." Opponents of the measure - as well as supporters - have put a ton of money into advertising in the last few weeks. Sheldon Adelson, casino honcho and well-known supporter of Republican candidates and conservative issues, has reportedly donated $5 million to Drug Free Florida, which is the main group opposing the amendment. Opponents are doing everything but putting a DVD of "Reefer Madness" into every Floridian's mailbox. (For the uninitiated, "Reefer Madness" is the "cautionary tale" from the 1930s explaining in ominous tones how a tad of marijuana could make you jump off buildings, among other horrible things. It was supposed to be serious, but it's become a hysterical cult classic. Google it if you haven't seen it. You'll thank me.) Check message boards and other sources, and you'll see a variety of reasons why opponents say Amendment 2 is a terrible, dangerous thing. It is vague and has loopholes, they say. Sorry, but every amendment is vague and has loopholes. It could have unforseen consequences, we are told. Yes, and you could walk down the street and get hit by a bus. Unforseen things happen. Pot smoking can lower the IQ of teen users by up to eight points, we are being told. So can being on your iPhone all day. Opponents say TV medical guru Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who had a big report on marijuana before sort of backtracking, is really not for medical marijuana, and his opinion is being misinterpreted. Seriously? Even Agriculture Secretary Adam Putnam says passage of Amendment 2 could hurt our reputation as a "family-friendly and business-friendly state." Seems to me that easing pain and suffering is pretty family-friendly. Sorry, I don't buy it. Colorado and Washington have made recreational marijuana legal, and I have yet to hear anything about those states blowing up. Making marijuana legal for people who need to relieve pain and nausea simply sounds humane to me. This should be a choice made by a person in consultation with their doctor, rather than a politician telling us what is good for us and what isn't. Now that we've settled that, about that write-in for the giant African land snake ... - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom