Pubdate: Tue, 19 Mar 2013
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2013 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mVLAxQfA
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Michael Mayo
Page: 1B

JOKES ASIDE, LET'S GET SERIOUS ABOUT LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

Now that longtime activist and irreverent Fort Lauderdale attorney
Norm Kent has become leader of the National Organization for the
Reform of Marijuana Laws, what should we call him?

His Highness? Boss Weed? Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Joints?

"Stop, you're killing me," Kent said through heavy coughs and laughs
when I reached him by phone Monday.

Kent, 63, a cancer survivor, has been battling some major health
issues lately, but he's determined to get back on his feet and lead
the charge for change as chairman of NORML's national board of
directors. The group's efforts are particularly needed in Florida,
where a movement to legalize medical marijuana is gaining momentum.

Eighteen states allow medical use of cannabis, and voters in
Washington and Colorado have legalized pot for recreational use.
Meanwhile, the federal government still classifies marijuana as a
"Schedule 1" drug, the same as heroin and LSD, with no permitted
medical use.

Brace for major court clashes over states' rights vs. federal
enforcement powers as localized pot legalization sprouts.

"The tide has turned," Kent said. "People want it ... If legalization
can help people who are suffering from certain afflictions, cut prison
costs, and generate tax revenues, we ought to give pot a chance."

It's a sentiment shared by a growing number of politicians and policy
makers. I don't think anybody is saying marijuana is completely safe (
especially if it's smoked) or doesn't have the potential for abuse,
just that it's not necessarily worse than other legalized substances
like alcohol, tobacco or prescription painkillers. I say pot should be
an option for those suffering from cancer, glaucoma or other medical
conditions.

In Tallahassee, state Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, and state Rep.
Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, have filed bills ( SB1250/ HB1139) that
would let doctor- authorized users possess up to four ounces and allow
for marijuana farms and dispensaries in Florida.

Considering the bills were introduced by a pair of South Florida
Democrats and much of the Capitol crowd still inhales the "Just Say
No" rhetoric, I'd say this has a chance somewhere between "pigs
flying" and "snowball in hell."

Kent is more optimistic: "I can't promise you it will pass this year,
but for the first time in the history of our state this is at least
going to be debated."

If the bills go nowhere, expect a state constitutional amendment
drive. High-profile Tampa attorney John Morgan, who is now former
Gov. Charlie Crist's boss, has vowed to pump millions into getting a
medical marijuana amendment on the 2014 ballot by petition. It would
need 60 percent voter approval to pass.

Clemens named his bill "The Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act," in
honor of a wheelchair-bound pot advocate with Lou Gehrig's disease.
The week Clemens filed his bill, Manatee County Sheriff's deputies,
toting guns and wearing ski masks, raided Jordan's Central Florida
home and seized 23 marijuana plants. Prosecutors are deciding whether
to file charges.

"She's a real threat to America," Kent said sarcastically. "Let's hope
a drone strike isn't next."
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