Pubdate: Mon, 23 Feb 2015
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Note: Rarely prints out-of-state LTEs.
Author: Matt Sedensky, Associated Press

AFTER MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEFEAT, SOME IN GOP TENTATIVELY SUPPORT IT

WEST PALM BEACH (AP) - Republican lawmakers in Florida who once 
opposed medical pot are now embracing it, motivated by the strong 
show of support from voters and worried that another constitutional 
amendment during next year's presidential race could drive opponents 
to the polls.

Last year, lawmakers in the GOP-controlled Legislature passed a law 
to allow low-potency strains of marijuana helpful to a very limited 
group of patients. But many people argued it was inadequate and took 
the fight to voters with a constitutional amendment that would have 
widely expanded the drug's availability to the sick. It got about 58 
percent of the vote in November but needed 60 percent to pass under 
Florida law.

Though it was a rare defeat amid a wave of efforts across the U.S. to 
legalize marijuana for both medical and recreational use, it sent a 
powerful message to legislators in Tallahassee. Amendment 2 garnered 
more support than any statewide candidate and served as the impetus 
for the introduction of medical marijuana bills for the legislative 
session, which begins March 3.

"It's the ultimate poll," said Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Republican. "It 
shows that there is momentum for this issue, that it will likely pass 
in the future and that there is an ability right now in this window 
of time to address this issue in the legislative process."

Brandes opposed the ballot measure but is now sponsoring a medical 
pot bill. Two House Republicans have also filed a companion bill.

Brandes believes the legislative process better affords the 
opportunity to debate and amend the proposal. His bill was hailed by 
United for Care, the group that lobbied for a comprehensive medical 
marijuana law and put the issue on ballots last year.

Brandes' bill has earned the opposition of the Florida Sheriffs 
Association, an influential lobby that also opposed Amendment 2.

The sheriffs want more restrictive language in the bill and said 
medicine shouldn't be smoked. In other states, medical marijuana 
dispensaries have found high numbers of patients opt against smoking, 
instead using capsules, lozenges, drinks, foods, lotions, face masks 
and all sorts of other products.

Ben Pollara, executive director of United for Care, said lawmakers 
shouldn't be "dictating the best way for the patient to take their medication."

Though 23 states have passed comprehensive medical marijuana laws, 
none are in the South. A handful of southern states have measures 
such as the law passed in Florida last year, legalizing the drug for 
small populations or for medical research. Medical marijuana bills 
are also under consideration in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North 
Carolina and South Carolina, according to the Marijuana Policy Project.

Another sticking point in Florida is just who exactly would be 
allowed to use medical pot. Both the Senate and the House proposals 
would permit people with certain conditions to use it, including 
AIDS, epilepsy, Lou Gehrig's disease and multiple sclerosis. But the 
House version wouldn't allow it for people with chronic pain, nausea 
or seizures or other debilitating illnesses that aren't included on the list.

That would disqualify many patients, including M.J. Seide, a 
64-year-old Hollywood resident. She said she has persistent pain from 
a congenital disease and countless surgeries. She buys marijuana 
illegally and has found it helped alleviate the pain while avoiding 
powerful prescription pills that left her incapacitated.

"I don't believe that it's up to the Legislature to be able to pick 
and choose who gets to suffer and who doesn't," she said. "It has to 
be left up to the physician who he gets or she gets to prescribe a 
medication to."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom