Pubdate: Sun, 01 Jun 2014
Source: Ledger, The (Lakeland, FL)
Copyright: 2014 The Ledger
Contact:  http://www.theledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/795
Author: Lloyd Dunkelberger

POT OPPONENTS ARGUE LAW IS VAGUE

Early polling shows that a ballot initiative to allow the use of
medical marijuana should pass in the November general election.

But it has become clear this month that supporters of the
constitutional amendment proposal will face organized opposition in
their bid to win approval from 60 percent on the voters. The Vote No
on 2 Campaign, which is being directed by veteran media consultant
Sarah Bascom, is stepping up its criticism of Amendment 2.

"Amendment 2 is simply a guise to legalize pot smoking in Florida and
the goal of this campaign is to point out the loopholes and explain
why this amendment is bad for Florida," the group said in announcing
its coalition that includes law enforcement members, business leaders,
doctors, parents and others.

The group's main message is that the proposed constitutional amendment
is so broadly and vaguely written it could lead to a number of
problems, ranging from children using patient confidentiality to
obtain marijuana without their parents' knowledge to drug dealers
hiding behind a "caregivers" provision.

Echoing arguments that were made in trying to keep the measure off the
ballot, the opponents also say the marijuana use would not be limited
to "debilitating" medical conditions, such as cancer, but could be
used for "other conditions," including headaches and back aches.

"The pot supporters had every chance to be clear about the critical
details of the pot amendment," said Susan Kelsey, a Tallahassee lawyer
who is among the opponents and who has worked on constitutional
amendments. "But now, they ask voters to assume that the Legislature
and Florida's courts will cure the loopholes in it. Where is the
crystal ball? Amendment 2 is a constitutional amendment and it cannot
be changed by statutory law or court interpretation."

Ben Pollara, the campaign manager for the People United for Medical
Marijuana campaign, said the opponents are playing up hypothetical
fears and that amendment's intent can be clarified through state
rules, although he said those regulations must be drafted with input
from patient advocates and from officials in the 21 states where
medical marijuana has been approved.

Pollara said Florida's medical-marijuana system will avoid many of the
problems that have occurred in California.

"Much of the opposition to Amendment 2 comes from opponents who either
ignore the text of the amendment or presuppose that the state will
abdicate responsibility and implement a loosely regulated,
California-style system -- a result that no one paying attention
believes will actually take place," Pollara said in a statement.

However, Pollara and other supporters of amendment proposal are
clearly concerned about the prospect of an organized and well-funded
opposition campaign.

"If you've been thinking that Amendment 2 would pass without a serious
fight, it's time to think again: The "No on Amendment 2" campaign is
fully underway, with a new website and video," Pollara said in a
fund-raising appeal in May. "We've been expecting this all along.
While we got a great head start, there are a lot of resources and
potential big donors on the other side."

The medical-marijuana supporters have already spent nearly $5 million
for the effort, with the majority of the money going to collect voter
signatures that were needed to place the measure on the ballot. And
Pollara said a successful campaign may cost $10 million "and we're a
long way off."

But Pollara also said the amendment supporters are ready to take on
the opponents.

"We are not going to let the Vote No on 2 campaign set the tone of
this debate," he said. "We will set the tone. We will own the debate.
We are going to make sure the voices of patients, caretakers, doctors
and nurses are represented."

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WINNER OF THE WEEK

Leslie Dougher. The Clay County Republican chairwoman is expected to
be tapped by state Republicans this weekend in Tampa as the new state
party leader heading into the critical fall elections. Dougher, who
has the support of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and House Speaker Will
Weatherford, will replace outgoing chairman Lenny Curry who is
exploring a run for mayor of Jacksonville.

LOSER OF THE WEEK

Openness. A trial judge in Leon County barred the public and the media
during a court hearing last week as he heard testimony in a case that
alleges state lawmakers violated a constitutional mandate for
nonpartisan redistricting for congressional seats. The judge closed
the hearing following an order from the state Supreme Court that
allowed the submission of more than 500 pages of evidence from a
political consultant but said the information could only be reviewed
in a secret proceeding.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Transparency and accountability are critical to supporting our
veterans, and this suit will fight the federal VA's continued practice
of stonewalling our inspectors," Gov. Rick Scott said in announcing
the state's lawsuit against the U.S. Veterans Administration, seeking
permission to allow state inspectors to review the care at VA hospitals.
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MAP posted-by: Matt