Pubdate: Fri, 03 Oct 2014 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2014 The Tribune Co. Contact: http://tbo.com/list/news-opinion-letters/submit/ Website: http://tbo.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/446 Author: Paul Sloan Page: A10 BLATANT FEARMONGERING Sheriff Don Eslinger is fearmongering. His column 'Amendment 2 is a danger to our health, families and quality of life' (Other Views, Sept. 26) is made up of generalizations. He uses the false talking point: 'Shockingly, under Amendment 2, children can be provided marijuana from a physician or a caregiver without parental consent.' However, the Florida Bar's position on physicians' treatment of minors states: 'Generally, minors cannot consent to their own medical treatment.' Additionally, providing treatment without consent could be considered unprofessional conduct. The sheriff's column reminds me of H.L. Mencken's quote: 'The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.' Medical marijuana is now available in 23 states, and the sky has not fallen. Why deny someone relief from chronic pain? When you vote, remember Dr. Albert Schweitzer's words: 'Pain is a more terrible lord of mankind than even death itself.' Paul Sloan, Brandon - --- MAP posted-by: Matt