Pubdate: Thu, 05 Mar 2015
Source: Bradenton Herald (FL)
Copyright: 2015 Bradenton Herald
Contact: http://www.bradenton.com/submit-letter/
Website: http://www.bradenton.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/58
Author: Ray Strack

REP. GREG STEUBE, FLORIDA SHERIFFS WRONG ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

In the March 1 editorial, "Galvano, Steube to play key roles in the 
Florida Legislature," the Herald writes that state Rep. Greg Steube 
has agreed with the position of the Florida Sheriff's Association 
(FSA) on medical marijuana.

This is very disappointing and shortsighted by Rep. Steube because 
the position of the FSA is not supported by the facts. I am a retired 
federal agent with over 27 years of experience.

Neither I nor the FSA have any requisite medical expertise regarding 
any limitation as to the list of diseases treatable by medical 
marijuana, nor to decide whether or not smoking marijuana is an 
effective method of delivery.

More importantly, regarding their supposed area of expertise, public 
safety, their position is not consistent with current verifiable data 
on the subject. The 12 states that have had legal medical marijuana 
for the longest periods of time have seen significant improvements in 
violent crime and opioid overdose death rates, as compared to the 
other 38 states over the same time period.

These conclusions are found in peer-reviewed studies done by 
criminologists and medical experts at several U.S. research 
institutions. There is also evidence that traffic fatalities are down 
in these states with medical marijuana laws.

The sheriffs and Rep. Steube should reconsider their opposition to 
Senate Bill 528 and join with the majority of Floridians who want 
legal access to a safe and effective medicine. Floridians deserve 
evidence-based solutions, not ill-advised opinions.

Ray Strack, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Fort Lauderdale
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom