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REP.  GREG STEUBE, FLORIDA SHERIFFS WRONG ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

In the March 1 editorial, "Galvano, Steube to play key roles in the Florida Legislature," the Herald writes that state Rep.  Greg Steube has agreed with the position of the Florida Sheriff's Association ( FSA ) on medical marijuana.

This is very disappointing and shortsighted by Rep.  Steube because the position of the FSA is not supported by the facts.  I am a retired federal agent with over 27 years of experience.

Neither I nor the FSA have any requisite medical expertise regarding any limitation as to the list of diseases treatable by medical marijuana, nor to decide whether or not smoking marijuana is an effective method of delivery.

More importantly, regarding their supposed area of expertise, public safety, their position is not consistent with current verifiable data on the subject.  The 12 states that have had legal medical marijuana for the longest periods of time have seen significant improvements in violent crime and opioid overdose death rates, as compared to the other 38 states over the same time period.

These conclusions are found in peer-reviewed studies done by criminologists and medical experts at several U.S.  research institutions.  There is also evidence that traffic fatalities are down in these states with medical marijuana laws.

The sheriffs and Rep.  Steube should reconsider their opposition to Senate Bill 528 and join with the majority of Floridians who want legal access to a safe and effective medicine.  Floridians deserve evidence-based solutions, not ill-advised opinions.

Ray Strack, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Fort Lauderdale