Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
The last time Floridians faced the subject of medical marijuana on the ballot, the measure just barely failed to garner enough support needed to become law.
This time appears to be different. There's still resistance, but the large wave of criticism from various groups like the Florida Sheriff's Association is gone. Polls indicate the ballot measure again named Amendment 2 appears to be coasting toward passage.
The most recent survey released by the University of North Florida indicates 73 percent of voters approve of the amendment, significantly more than the 60 percent needed for it to become law. Backers of the Amendment say stripping away the so-called loopholes and timing is key.
The poll, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent, surveyed more than 800 registered voters. Across age and party lines, an overwhelming majority of respondents said they would vote in favor of the amendment, which would expand access to more patients.
A different dynamic also is at play this election: a presidential race that has frequently veered toward controversy.
"The type of voter that tends to show up at a presidential race is different than the folks that showed up in 2014," said Michael Binder, who directs the university's Public Opinion Research Lab. "You tend to get a younger, more diverse crowd showing up on election day which tends to be more in favor of these types of things as opposed to the older, more conservative voters that show up during the gubernatorial elections."
Ballot initiatives tend to poll better than they do on election day, Binder added, but "the biggest thing is the '(vote) no' effort this time around has been minuscule compared to last-ditch efforts and the tens of millions of dollars that got dumped in at the last minute in 2014."
But organizers of the anti-Amendment 2 campaign supported by the Drug Free Florida Committee, which has raised $3.4 million this year, say their support is just as strong as it was two years ago. The political action committee has seen big-dollar donations from casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and former United State Ambassador Mel Sembler. But the group raised about $3 million less than in 2014.
The Florida Legislature in 2014 passed a measure legalizing low-THC cannabis, which doesn't induce the same euphoria as regular marijuana, for patients with cancer or those suffering from chronic seizures and severe muscle spasms.
Amendment 2 would add post-traumatic stress disorder, epilepsy, HIV, AIDS, ALS, Parkinson's disease, Crohn's disease, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis to the list of treatable illnesses as well as other "debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician."
Opponents contend the language of the amendment could still open the door for rampant abuse, holding the state of California as an example. Christina Johnson, a spokesperson for the Vote No on 2 campaign, called the ballot initiative a "slippery slope" that leaves the "debilitating medical condition" open to interpretation.
"Right now marijuana is not (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) tested or FDA approved as other drugs are," Johnson said. "We believe that if this is going to be out there then it needs to be tested and approved."
But Orlando attorney and medical marijuana supporter John Morgan said that argument doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Morgan's law firm has been the largest contributor to the People United For Medical Marijuana Committee, for which he serves as chairman. Campaign finance records show the group has raised $6.1 million since 2015.
"Marijuana is a Schedule I drug, which means it can't be studied. We can't take it to universities. If you look at what's gone on in Israel, where they have studied it, it's nothing short of miraculous," Morgan said. "It's kind of paradoxical. On one hand, they say, 'hey, we want to see some studies' but on the other hand, it's impossible to have a study because it's a Schedule I drug. There can be no studies in America."
The lack of evidence is why the Florida Medical Association, the trade group that represents some 20,000 physicians, maintained its stance against marijuana for medical use. In an August statement, the group said "there was nothing medical about this proposal." But when reached by The News-Journal, the group declined to comment further.
The association's opposition hasn't stopped more than 150 doctors from registering with the Florida Department of Health to use cannabis to treat patients. There are at least six in Volusia and Flagler counties, although some are waiting for the dust to settle on the merits of marijuana.
Dr. Joseph Rosado, a primary care physician in Orange City, has recommended the drug for four patients and as many as 30 others are awaiting the 90-day wait. Rosado expects if the law passes, that the number of patients he sees from the region will grow because the medical community is not yet in agreement.
"There aren't that many doctors in the community that are certified to recommend the medical marijuana, but more importantly there are a number of doctors that are not in agreement with this," said Rosado, who himself has donated $9,150 to support Amendment 2.
"It will increase the number of patients that I see and it will broaden the scope of conditions that I will be addressing."
How it reads on the ballot:
No. 2 Constitutional Amendment Article X, Section 29 Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions
Allows medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients' medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not immunize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.
Increased costs from this amendment to state and local governments cannot be determined. There will be additional regulatory costs and enforcement activities associated with the production, sale, use and possession medical marijuana. Fees may offset some of the costs. Sales tax will likely apply to most purchases, resulting in a substantial increase in state and local government revenues that cannot be determined precisely. The impact on property tax revenues cannot be determined.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Florida Voters Decide If Medical Marijuana Treatment Should Expand
Author: Mike Finch II
Contact: 386-252-1511
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Website: The Daytona Beach News-Journal
This time appears to be different. There's still resistance, but the large wave of criticism from various groups like the Florida Sheriff's Association is gone. Polls indicate the ballot measure again named Amendment 2 appears to be coasting toward passage.
The most recent survey released by the University of North Florida indicates 73 percent of voters approve of the amendment, significantly more than the 60 percent needed for it to become law. Backers of the Amendment say stripping away the so-called loopholes and timing is key.
The poll, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent, surveyed more than 800 registered voters. Across age and party lines, an overwhelming majority of respondents said they would vote in favor of the amendment, which would expand access to more patients.
A different dynamic also is at play this election: a presidential race that has frequently veered toward controversy.
"The type of voter that tends to show up at a presidential race is different than the folks that showed up in 2014," said Michael Binder, who directs the university's Public Opinion Research Lab. "You tend to get a younger, more diverse crowd showing up on election day which tends to be more in favor of these types of things as opposed to the older, more conservative voters that show up during the gubernatorial elections."
Ballot initiatives tend to poll better than they do on election day, Binder added, but "the biggest thing is the '(vote) no' effort this time around has been minuscule compared to last-ditch efforts and the tens of millions of dollars that got dumped in at the last minute in 2014."
But organizers of the anti-Amendment 2 campaign supported by the Drug Free Florida Committee, which has raised $3.4 million this year, say their support is just as strong as it was two years ago. The political action committee has seen big-dollar donations from casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and former United State Ambassador Mel Sembler. But the group raised about $3 million less than in 2014.
The Florida Legislature in 2014 passed a measure legalizing low-THC cannabis, which doesn't induce the same euphoria as regular marijuana, for patients with cancer or those suffering from chronic seizures and severe muscle spasms.
Amendment 2 would add post-traumatic stress disorder, epilepsy, HIV, AIDS, ALS, Parkinson's disease, Crohn's disease, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis to the list of treatable illnesses as well as other "debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician."
Opponents contend the language of the amendment could still open the door for rampant abuse, holding the state of California as an example. Christina Johnson, a spokesperson for the Vote No on 2 campaign, called the ballot initiative a "slippery slope" that leaves the "debilitating medical condition" open to interpretation.
"Right now marijuana is not (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) tested or FDA approved as other drugs are," Johnson said. "We believe that if this is going to be out there then it needs to be tested and approved."
But Orlando attorney and medical marijuana supporter John Morgan said that argument doesn't stand up to scrutiny. Morgan's law firm has been the largest contributor to the People United For Medical Marijuana Committee, for which he serves as chairman. Campaign finance records show the group has raised $6.1 million since 2015.
"Marijuana is a Schedule I drug, which means it can't be studied. We can't take it to universities. If you look at what's gone on in Israel, where they have studied it, it's nothing short of miraculous," Morgan said. "It's kind of paradoxical. On one hand, they say, 'hey, we want to see some studies' but on the other hand, it's impossible to have a study because it's a Schedule I drug. There can be no studies in America."
The lack of evidence is why the Florida Medical Association, the trade group that represents some 20,000 physicians, maintained its stance against marijuana for medical use. In an August statement, the group said "there was nothing medical about this proposal." But when reached by The News-Journal, the group declined to comment further.
The association's opposition hasn't stopped more than 150 doctors from registering with the Florida Department of Health to use cannabis to treat patients. There are at least six in Volusia and Flagler counties, although some are waiting for the dust to settle on the merits of marijuana.
Dr. Joseph Rosado, a primary care physician in Orange City, has recommended the drug for four patients and as many as 30 others are awaiting the 90-day wait. Rosado expects if the law passes, that the number of patients he sees from the region will grow because the medical community is not yet in agreement.
"There aren't that many doctors in the community that are certified to recommend the medical marijuana, but more importantly there are a number of doctors that are not in agreement with this," said Rosado, who himself has donated $9,150 to support Amendment 2.
"It will increase the number of patients that I see and it will broaden the scope of conditions that I will be addressing."
How it reads on the ballot:
No. 2 Constitutional Amendment Article X, Section 29 Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions
Allows medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients' medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not immunize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.
Increased costs from this amendment to state and local governments cannot be determined. There will be additional regulatory costs and enforcement activities associated with the production, sale, use and possession medical marijuana. Fees may offset some of the costs. Sales tax will likely apply to most purchases, resulting in a substantial increase in state and local government revenues that cannot be determined precisely. The impact on property tax revenues cannot be determined.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Florida Voters Decide If Medical Marijuana Treatment Should Expand
Author: Mike Finch II
Contact: 386-252-1511
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Website: The Daytona Beach News-Journal
