Pubdate: Mon, 13 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: Paula Dockery
Note: Paula Dockery is a syndicated columnist who served in the 
Florida Legislature for 16 years as a Republican from Lakeland.

IGNORE THE SCARE TACTICS AND VOTE 'YES' ON AMENDMENT 2

Some 22 states have enacted medical marijuana laws - most through 
legislative action. But here in Florida, the Legislature refuses to 
consider decriminalizing marijuana for medical purposes for those 
suffering with multiple sclerosis, cancer, seizures, debilitating 
pain and nausea.

It was not for lack of trying by some compassionate legislators. 
State Sen. Jeff Clemens introduced legislation for four straight 
years. The bills went nowhere.

In Florida, when the Legislature ignores the will of the people, 
citizens have few alternatives. The obvious - voting them out of 
office - is easier said than done.

Citizens do have the ability to try to amend their Florida 
Constitution. The process is difficult, costly and time consuming. A 
citizens' initiative requires hundreds of thousands of petitions to 
be gathered throughout the state. If it makes it to the ballot it 
needs 60 percent of the vote to pass.

A group called United for Care was formed to place the use of medical 
marijuana on the ballot. They jumped through all the hoops: Language 
was drafted. Petitions were printed. Volunteers and paid petition 
gatherers collected petitions. Petitions were verified.

And the ballot title and summary language faced Florida Supreme Court review.

On top of that, there was an aggressive challenge in court from the 
attorney general, the governor, the Senate president and the speaker 
of the House. Despite their opposition, the Florida Supreme Court 
cleared Amendment 2 for the ballot.

Early polling showed incredible popularity for the amendment across 
almost every demographic - age, gender, party, and race. Some polls 
showed support as high as 88 percent.

Florida's sheriffs took the lead in opposing Amendment 2, which is 
understandable as they have for decades been leading the war against 
drugs and incarcerating thousands of drug users, including those in 
possession of marijuana.

The cost to taxpayers of incarcerating an inmate is $20,000 a year.

Some of those purchasing marijuana illegally are doing it on behalf 
of their loved ones with debilitating illnesses. Do we really want to 
make criminals out of them?

Opponents devised a strategy of scare tactics and misinformation. 
They received nearly $4 million from one out-of-state donor alone - 
Las Vegas casino magnate and billionaire Sheldon Adelson.

Opponents also have brought other buddies with bucks on board. Big 
Pharma, business groups and the Florida Medical Association have lent 
their voices and their resources to the effort.

Despite FMA's stated opposition, many doctors have come forward 
supporting the use of marijuana for their patients. Some have 
defended the use of medical marijuana as purely humanitarian and ask 
to have every possible tool they can in their toolbox for the care of 
critically ill patients.

With their huge war chest, the opponents have hit the airwaves with 
claims that misrepresent this modest effort to legalize medical 
marijuana with total legalization.

They claim the wording is overly broad, dispensaries would be on 
every street corner, children would be in grave danger, caregivers 
are tantamount to drug dealers, and doctors can't be trusted.

They ignore not only the amendment's intent but also the facts.

The amendment requires a doctor's supervision, respects the 
doctor/patient relationship and keeps government out of medical decisions.

The Legislature would be responsible for crafting implementing 
legislation. They could regulate how the amendment will be applied.

Opponents decry the potential for vehicular deaths while ignoring the 
greater risk from driving under the influence of alcohol or OxyContin 
- - both legal substances.

Why would so many spend so much to deny sick and dying people the 
ability to legally access a safe drug that would bring them relief?

Their campaign of exaggeration has taken a toll: Polls show support 
has fallen to 64 percent, barely over the threshold to pass.

Don't fall for the scare tactics.

Marijuana is not the dangerous drug they depict. In fact, it is less 
dangerous than many prescription drugs and certainly less addictive 
than opiate painkillers. To my knowledge, no one has died of an 
overdose of marijuana.

We follow 22 other states that have legalized medical marijuana, some 
with over a dozen years of experience, and the sky has not fallen.

Sen. Clemens had some harsh words for those who feign compassion:

"It's disingenuous for my conservative colleagues to suggest they are 
for medical marijuana, but opposed to Amendment 2, when they've 
refused to hear a bill that was more restrictive for the past four years.

"They've had the opportunity to help people who are suffering, and refused."

The bottom line is that marijuana is a safe, useful medicine, and we 
should trust doctors to prescribe it responsibly.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom