Florida Voters to Consider Medical Marijuana

Marijuana is back on the ballot in Florida.

Florida voters on Nov. 8 will consider a ballot measure that would legalize medical marijuana two years after a similar measure failed to receive the 60 percent vote needed to pass.

John Morgan, an attorney and chairman of People United for Medical Marijuana, believes the drug’s growing acceptance could lead to the passage of the measure, Amendment 2, on Election Day.

“The only issue the presidential candidates agree on this year is that medical marijuana should be legal,” Morgan told News-Press.com. “If that doesn’t say something about the times we’re in and the tipping point moment we’re having in Florida, nothing else does.”

The passage of Amendment 2 would allow licensed physicians to prescribe the drug to people with debilitating illnesses. These conditions include cancer, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, Crohn’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, among others.

This year’s measure requires parental consent before physicians can prescribe medical marijuana to minors, a detail omitted from the previous amendment’s language.

Benefits of Medical Marijuana

Advocates say medical marijuana has numerous benefits. People undergoing chemotherapy say it alleviates pain, anxiety and nausea. Some even claim the drug reduces seizures.

Many proponents of legalization also maintain that marijuana is a safer alternative to opioids, a class of drugs that has ravaged the United States in recent years.

A 2015 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association evaluated the pharmacology of medical marijuana use based on medical literature spanning from 1948 to 2015. The results indicated that it was effective in reducing chronic pain, neuropathic pain and spasms related to multiple sclerosis.

“From children with severe forms of epilepsy to adults with cancer, cannabis has provided relief with minimal side effects,” wrote the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, urging Floridians to vote in favor of the amendment.

Medical Marijuana Detractors Speak Out

Nearly 58 percent of Florida voters favored the legalization of medical marijuana in 2014. But many people oppose the passage of Amendment 2 — and they are making their voices heard.

The “Vote No on 2” campaign, an anti-legalization effort led by the Drug Free Florida Committee, has distributed thousands of brochures outlining the consequences of medical marijuana use. Its website states that Amendment 2 includes a loophole that would allow caregivers without medical training to administer marijuana.

“We feel that, as it was in 2014, once voters understand the issue and understand what Amendment 2 is and what it isn’t, they’ll vote no,” Christina Johnson, spokeswoman for “Vote No on 2” told News-Press.com.

Reggie Garcia, an Amendment 2 advocate, says voters shouldn’t be fooled by these claims.

“There’s 10 very specific debilitating medical conditions, so we think there’s a lot of safeguards to trust our doctors,” Garcia told News4Jax.com.

The “Vote No on 2” campaign has raised more than $4.4 million to support its message. Donors include casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and Tampa developer Mel Sembler.

However, People United for Medical Marijuana has raised more than $5.5 million in donations. The group’s donors include Morgan, the Florida Democratic Party, and Drug Policy Action.

Cannabis Legal in 25 States

Medical marijuana is legal in 25 states and the District of Columbia.

Anyone over age 21 can legally purchase marijuana in Colorado, Washington and Oregon, states that have legalized recreational use of the drug.

In Colorado, the number of cannabis arrests decreased by an average of 46 percent in ten major counties from 2012 to 2014, according to a report by the Colorado Department of Public Safety. However, the number of DUI cases in Denver involving cannabis increased by 3 percent from 2014 to 2015.

In Alaska and the District of Columbia, people aged 21 and older can legally smoke cannabis, but they cannot purchase the substance.

No one can smoke weed in public. Furthermore, cannabis use remains illegal under federal law: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, the same category as heroin and ecstasy.

On Nov. 8, five states, including Florida, will have a marijuana-related measure on the ballot.



Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

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