Pubdate: Fri, 25 Mar 2016
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2016 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-letters-to-the-editor-htmlstory.html
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Paula Dockery
Note: Paula Dockery is a syndicated columnist who served in the 
Florida Legislature for 16 years as a Republican from Lakeland.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN FLORIDA: WHERE ARE WE, EXACTLY?

Two years ago, the medical marijuana constitutional amendment was on 
the ballot. Even though a majority of Florida voters supported it - 
58 percent - it failed to meet the 60 percent threshold needed for passage.

There was a strong and well-financed opposition that relied on 
doomsday scenarios and scare tactics. Others who opposed the measure 
did so by saying the change should be done by the Legislature in 
statute, not by the Florida Constitution.

During that time the Legislature - opposed to full-fledged 
decriminalization of marijuana for medical purposes - passed a very 
limited form of non-euphoric marijuana use for children with epilepsy 
or chronic seizures.

The legislation passed in the spring of 2014 but has been delayed by 
state agency rule-making and legal challenges by nurseries that want 
to grow the plants and dispense the medical marijuana. The bill 
limited the number of dispensing organizations of the low-THC cannabis to five.

Left out were the tens of thousands of Floridians who could benefit 
from marijuana to treat their life-threatening illnesses, ease their 
pain or nausea or increase their appetite.

Supporters of medical marijuana would have to start all over if they 
wanted to put it back on the ballot. That meant drafting ballot 
language, passing Florida Supreme Court review and collecting 
hundreds of thousands of petition signatures.

Meanwhile, family and friends were risking incarceration for 
illegally purchasing marijuana on the street for loved ones. Those 
suffering with pain or debilitating illnesses were also illegally 
purchasing it for themselves. If caught they could be arrested, incur 
legal expenses, or worse, jail. What about the characters they were 
purchasing it from? Could they be trusted? Was it safe?

The group behind the amendment - United for Care - shared some of 
those same concerns and jumped right back in to provide a safer, 
regulated system of legally purchasing marijuana for medical reasons. 
Orlando attorney John Morgan is the force behind United for Care 
(unitedforcare.org) - and motivated by a brother in need.

Morgan and his group again jumped all the hoops and, with 692,981 
verified signatures, medical marijuana is heading back to the ballot 
this fall. It even has the same place on the ballot - Amendment 2.

What's different this time? One important change is the actual ballot language.

To address concerns that the original amendment was overly broad - 
allowing opponents to falsely claim it opened it up to recreational 
users - the language was tightened up. According to Ben Pollara of 
United for Care, Amendment 2 has clearer definitions of eligible 
medical conditions - cancer, AIDS, epilepsy, glaucoma and several 
others. It also requires parental consent and verification for minors.

Another change is the timing of the ballot. The first attempt was 
during a nonpresidential election year when voter turnout is 
generally lower. This year, with a competitive battle for the 
presidency, turnout should be robust. Keep in mind, the ballot 
proposal failed by only two percentage points.

Another difference? The Legislature might be shifting on the issue. 
There was some surprising news out of the just-concluded legislative 
session. Thanks to the bipartisan efforts of Rep. Matt Gaetz, RFort 
Walton Beach, Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, and Sen. Rob Bradley, 
RFleming Island, legislation passed that would allow dying patients 
to be prescribed full-strength medical marijuana.

The chance of passage this year is promising. According to a recent 
PPP poll, 65 percent of Florida voters would support the medical 
marijuana initiative, while only 28 percent are opposed. Support 
crosses party lines. Democrats support the measure 75 percent to 18 
percent, independents 70/20 and Republicans 53/40.

Some local governments are also weighing in on marijuana-related issues.

The Volusia County Council - by unanimous vote - gave law enforcement 
officers discretion to impose a fine rather than arrest individuals 
possessing less than 20 grams of marijuana. Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm 
Beach and Alachua counties already have similar ordinances. Florida 
cities are joining in.

With strong public support, this just might be the year for 
compassionate help to arrive.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom