Pubdate: Wed, 22 Jan 2014
Source: Tampa Tribune (FL)
Copyright: 2014 The Tribune Co.
Contact: http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-letters/submit/
Website: http://tbo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446
Author: John G. Chase
Page: A14
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n039/a04.html

CONSIDER MAINE'S PROGRAM

Regarding 'The Return of Reefer Madness:' Justice Louis Brandeis 
wrote approvingly of solving contentious social issues 'in the 
laboratory of the states.' Medical marijuana is such an issue. Rather 
than waiting for John Morgan's new initiative, the Florida 
legislature should consider the statute enacted by Maine 15 years 
ago. It gets high marks from 'Americans for Safe Access'(ASA), the 
flagship proponent of medical marijuana in the U.S. Maine is one of 
the 12 states with enough experience to know that it works as 
intended, with no impact to public safety and no increase in kids' 
pot smoking. ASA gives Maine a 'B', primarily for its patient rights, 
civil protection and access to medicine. Florida gets an 'F' for the 
same reasons. ASA has not graded John Morgan's newly revised Florida 
initiative.

John G. Chase, Palm Harbor
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom