Pubdate: Sun, 22 Feb 2015
Source: Ledger, The (Lakeland, FL)
Copyright: 2015 The Ledger
Contact:  http://www.theledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/795
Author: Paula Dockery, syndicated columnist

WHERE ARE WE ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA?

Well, let's see, citizens have been asking the Florida Legislature to 
legalize it for at least a decade - and legislators said no. There 
was a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November, put there 
via citizen initiative. Months before the election, it polled at 78 
percent, with support across party lines, age, race and gender.

Legislative leaders came out publicly against it. Anti-drug crusaders 
formed a political action committee and hit up Daddy Warbucks - 
Sheldon Adelson - for millions to fund their effort.

What? You're not familiar with Sheldon? Maybe that's because he lives 
thousands of miles away in Las Vegas. But, rest assured, legislators 
and the governor know him. He and his lobbyists have been courting 
those in power to get expanded casino gambling here in Florida. Odd 
that someone perfectly fine with drinking and gambling could be so 
offended by legalized medical marijuana to help those with 
debilitating illness.

Joining the cause, sheriffs launched an offensive warning folks that 
a parade of horribles "" terrible, awful, hideous, horrendous things 
"" would happen if we allowed this - gasp - naturally occurring, 
pain-relieving remedy to be legal for medical purposes in Florida.

The very idea of trusting doctors to recommend this drug was just too 
dangerous and riddled with the risk of over-utilization. Never mind 
that doctors prescribe much more dangerous drugs on a routine basis. 
Never mind that 23 other states have legalized medical marijuana. And 
take a look up. Contrary to their claim, the sky isn't falling.

After the coordinated and effective attack against marijuana, against 
the sponsor of the amendment and against amending the Constitution - 
the amendment's support plunged. Loyal Republicans followed the party 
leaders' directions, and voters heeding their local sheriffs tempered 
their once solid support. A solid majority - 58 percent - voted for 
the amendment, but that was short of the 60 percent needed. 
Nonetheless, when 58 percent of the voters support a ballot 
initiative, it does send the message that Florida voters do want 
medical marijuana legalized. Shouldn't that get Tallahassee's? Keep 
in mind: the governor won re-election with a scant 49 percent of the vote.

So what are they doing to show a good-faith effort to answer? The 
United for Care folks have already changed the constitutional 
amendment language to appease critics' concerns, though it really 
wasn't necessary since the Legislature would be able to do that with 
implementing language after the amendment passes. The group also 
began the petition-gathering process all over again, collecting the 
hundreds of thousands of validated signatures.

Because it seems likely this "new and improved" initiative will be on 
the 2016 ballot, the Legislature has an added incentive to offer up 
its own plan. The ballot initiative is the stick and it seems to be 
having some effect. The Legislature is showing signs of a preemptive 
strike, believing that the constitutional amendment has an excellent 
chance of passing in a presidential election year when turnout is 
higher and the youth vote is more energized. With the new ballot 
language, many of the faux arguments from the last effort should fade.

State Sen. Jeff Brandes introduced a bill slightly more limited than 
the citizen initiative and is getting modest support from a sheriff 
or two. If it passes, there may be no need for an amendment. But 
then, as if assuming the bad cop role, state Rep. Greg Steube offered 
a severely scaled-back "non-smokable" plan.

Meanwhile, the sheriffs have met, with 40 of 67 sheriffs voting to 
take a position. On a 38-2 vote, they once again opposed legalizing 
medical marijuana - the new modified amendment language and the 
Florida Senate bill. Since the "non-smokable" House bill has emerged, 
there've been a few rumblings that the sheriffs might support it.

The Legislature has two legislative sessions - this spring and next - 
to follow voters' wishes on medical marijuana. It's important to note 
that the very limited "Charlotte's Web" bill the Legislature passed 
in 2014 was supposed to make a particular strain of marijuana 
available to Floridians suffering from epilepsy by Jan. 1. But that 
still hasn't happened.

The voters will most likely have the last say. If they don't like 
what the Legislature and governor do, they can pass the new 
constitutional amendment with the knowledge that the Legislature had 
plenty of chances to do as they asked and chose not to. Stay tuned.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom