Pubdate: Mon, 28 Apr 2014
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2014 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mVLAxQfA
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Anthony Man
Page: 3B

YES OR NO TO LEGAL MEDICAL POT? BROWARD SHERIFF DECLINES TO SAY

Broward Sheriff Scott Israel is declining to take a position on the 
referendum to legalize medical marijuana in Florida.

Polls show the proposal is overwhelmingly popular with Florida 
voters. Israel, a Democrat serving his first term, said he'll go 
along with whatever the voters decide.

"My position is: I'm an executive. I'm with the executive branch of 
government. I'm not a legislator. I believe the whole issue should go 
to the people. I think the people get it right more times than we do, 
and whatever the people do, we'll enforce those laws," he said in a 
brief interview. "I think this is something that's left to the people 
of the state of Florida."

The sheriff called the inquiry a "great, great, great question."

Israel said he doesn't know if he'll vote for or against the measure 
on Nov. 4. "I may or may not."

His position puts him at odds with the majority of Florida sheriffs. 
Their association voted earlier this year to oppose the referendum; 
Israel said he abstained. He said he wouldn't get involved in the 
sheriffs association's education campaign, which is educating people 
about what the organization sees as the downsides of legalizing 
medical marijuana. Opponents of the referendum have touted the 
sheriffs as key allies in their campaign.

The sheriffs association's website says "legalizing marijuana will 
jeopardize public safety."

"Florida's Sheriffs believe that approving broad exceptions to 
current state and federal law that would allow doctors to authorize 
use of marijuana for virtually any reason with little regulation will 
hurt children and families and lead to a lower quality of life for 
all," the website says.

Raymer Maguire, South Florida coordinator of United for Care: People 
United for Medical Marijuana, said "the residents in Broward really 
seem to understand this is about the patients. This is about sick and 
suffering Floridians."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom