Pubdate: Fri, 21 Mar 2014
Source: Palm Beach Post, The (FL)
Copyright: 2014 The Palm Beach Post
Contact:  http://www.palmbeachpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333
Author: John Kennedy
Page: A8
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

HOUSE PANEL OKS BILL TO LEGALIZE POT FOR SEIZURES

TALLAHASSEE - With several legislators saying they were deeply
troubled by the bill, the House Budget Committee unanimously approved
legislation Thursday aimed at decriminalizing the possession of
lowgrade marijuana for use in treating seizures.

The so-called "Charlotte's Web" measure (CS/HB 843) is getting the
blessing of Republican leaders in the Legislature, with many seeing it
as potentially blunting a ballot measure in November that would go
much further and legalize medical marijuana in Florida.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, sponsor of Thursday's proposal, said
parents of children with severe epilepsy have gained relief by
treating them with a liquid form of a marijuana strain rich in
cannabidiol or CBD.

The pot is low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that
produces a "high." The legislation also sets aside $1 million for
research into cannibidiol and its effect on childhood epilepsy.

"There is no high, but it has had a remarkable effect on these
children," Gaetz told the committee. "We've got kids who are 6, 7, 8
years old, who are no longer on feeding tubes. ... They are now able
to ride their bikes, play on the streets and tell their parents they
love them for the first time."

Some legislators, though, said they were willing to go along with the
bill Thursday, but remain concerned about opening the door to broader
marijuana use.

Even the cultivation of non-euphoric pot, which the bill would
authorize, could be a problem, they said.

"It's a real challenge for law enforcement," said Rep. Greg Steube,
R-Sarasota. "I don't want to see bad actors who are going to ... sell
marijuana for purposes not in this bill."

Republican support for the "Charlotte's Web" legislation emerged in
the weeks following the Florida Supreme Court's approval in January of
the ballot proposal legalizing the sweeping use of medical marijuana.

The proposed constitutional amendment would allow patients with
cancer, Lou Gehrig's disease, HIV/AIDS and Parkinson's disease to be
among those eligible for treatment with marijuana. It also gives
doctors authority to prescribe for "other conditions."

Under Gaetz's bill, people could not be criminally charged if they
possessed marijuana that matched the low-grade strain and were using
it under a doctor's supervision.

Such marijuana also could be grown by anyone without fear of criminal
sanctions, although Gaetz said Colorado's marijuana industry would
likely contract with Florida growers to produce the pot.

Gaetz said regular inspections would "make sure it wasn't any of the
fun stuff."
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MAP posted-by: Matt