Pubdate: Thu, 15 May 2014
Source: Tampa Bay Times (FL)
Copyright: 2014 St. Petersburg Times
Contact: http://www.sptimes.com/letters/
Website: http://www.tampabay.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419
Author: Stephen Nohlgren

WEBSITE LAUNCHES TO FIGHT MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN FLORIDA

A political action committee fighting medical marijuana in Florida
launched its website Thursday, including a nine-minute video laying
out potential pitfalls with how the system might work.

Grady Judd, president of the Florida Sheriff's Association, says the
proposed constitutional amendment is a stalking horse for legalizing
pot and enriching dope dealers.

He notes that Floridians with various conditions would qualify,
contending that even sleeping problems or stress might do the trick.

Other legal and community leaders contend that children will be able
to acquire medical marijuana without parental consent and that pot
docs will set up shop next to schools.

Amendment 2's ballot language indeed allows licensed physicians to
certify patients by determining that they have a "debilitating medical
condition" and that potential benefits of pot outweigh potential risks.

The amendment language is also silent on issues like parental consent
and location of dispensaries. If the measure passes in November, the
Florida Department of Health will create the regulatory structure on
such matters and may well require parental consent for minors and
buffer zones for schools, as is common in other states.

But that is not certain. Under the amendment, implementing regulations
must be "reasonable" and "ensure the availability and safe use'' of
marijuana for certified patients. Anyone who considers the regulations
to be unreasonable could sue the state to change them.

The website - www.voteno2.org -was created by the Drug Free Florida
Committee, a PAC underwritten by St. Petersburg developer Mel Sembler.
It describes the effort as "a grassroots campaign bringing the truth
about Amendment 2 to the voters of Florida."

Included is a way for people to contact the committee or make
donations.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt