With contested races for most U.S. House, Florida Senate and House, and County Commission seats in the November 4 election, registered voters in our Paradise News coverage areas have clear choices when it comes to Amendment 2.
The Florida Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative, Amendment 2 upon voter approval with a “Yes”, would legalize medical marijuana. It must win a supermajority vote of 60% of those voting on the question.
Specifically, the measure would guarantee the following:
That medical use of marijuana by a qualifying patient or personal caregiver is not subject to criminal or civil liability or sanctions under state law. That a licensed physician is not subject to criminal or civil liability or sanctions for issuing medical marijuana to a person diagnosed with a “debilitating medical condition” under state law. That registered medical marijuana treatment centers are not subject to criminal or civil liability or sanctions under state law.
The measure defines a “debilitating medical condition” as cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, hepatitis C, HIV, AIDS, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease “or other conditions for which a physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for a patient.”
The Florida Department of Health would be responsible for regulating medical marijuana. The department would issue and regulate patient identification cards and personal caregiver identification cards, develop procedures related to medical marijuana treatment centers and institute regulations defining reasonable amounts of marijuana for medical use. The department would be required to protect the confidentiality of all patients.
The constitutional amendment contains six limitations on how the amendment’s language can be construed:
The amendment does not “affect laws relating to non-medical use, possession, production or sale of marijuana” … “authorize the use of medical marijuana by anyone other than a qualifying patient” … “allow for the operation of a motor vehicle, boat, or aircraft while under the influence of marijuana” … “require accommodations for medical marijuana use in any place of education or employment, or of smoking medical marijuana in any public place” … “require any health insurance provider or any government agency or authority to reimburse any person for expenses related to the medical use of marijuana” … “the violation of federal law or purports to give immunity under federal law.”
Supporters of Amendment 2 say the measure will help people with debilitating medical conditions. Opponents, on the other hand, argue the amendment is “de facto legalization” of marijuana.
According to a spokesperson for United for Care/People United for Medical Marijuana, the main pro-lobbying group, both the Democratic and Libertarian parties in Florida have endorsed Amendment 2, and most of their Pinellas candidates who have taken a position have endorsed the measure. The Florida Republican party has taken a stand against Amendment 2, with virtually all their Pinellas candidates endorsing a “No” vote. Pinellas County Election Races All US House, Florida Senate and House candidates were asked their position on Amendment 2, with about 100-word comments requested for publication. All Democratic and Libertarian candidates who had opponents in the November 4 election and responded to the question sent YES statements, while all Republican candidates had NO responses.
U.S. Representative District 13 — David W. Jolly (R): NO. I want drugs to be less accessible and therefore I strongly oppose and will vote against Amendment 2 … Marijuana is illegal under federal law because there is no currently accepted medical use for the drug and because of the physiological impact it has on individuals … Yet some have argued that marijuana has medicinal value that addresses pain control. Indeed research has shown that a specific compound in the marijuana plant, properly delivered, can have clinical value for a patient … But Amendment 2 does nothing to safely and responsibly address this limited clinical value … It compromises the long-standing process we use in the U.S. to approve medicines forpersonal use. (Excerpted from Tampa Tribune Op-Ed) Challenger Lucas Overby (LPF): YES. I have been a medical cannabis advocate and activist for over a decade and I am happy to now support it as a candidate. Not only do I support Florida’s Amendment 2, my team and I are working on federal legislation to remove restrictions on federal legislation to remove restrictions on interstate sales of medical marijuana between legal states. Any step forward we can take togiving better acccess to doctors and patients is a good step. I urge everyone to Vote Yes on 2 and to also stay active and help make sure the roll out goes the way we need it to, to help the most people.
Challenger Lucas Overby (LPF): YES. I have been a medical cannabis advocate and activist for over a decade and I am happy to now support it as a candidate. Not only do I support Florida’s Amendment 2, my team and I are working on federal legislation to remove restrictions on interstate sales of medical marijuana between legal states. Any step forward we can take to giving better access to doctors and patients is a good step. I urge everyone to Vote Yes on 2 and to also stay active and help make sure the roll out goes the way we need it to, to help the most people.
Challenger Michael Stephen Levinson (Write-in): YES. I support Medical Marijuana; plan on voting YES.All marijuana is medicinal. You have a stressful day. After work you have a couple puffs, chill your chops, listen to some music and you feel better. Somehow a plant, ingested for relaxing, also a potion for great sleeping, and for some who need more time, lovemaking,that also inspires interestingthoughts becamecriminal.Follow the money for the real crime. Many people opposed to the medical marijuana initiative are directly or indirectly making money off our criminal justice system. Marijuana can only be characterized as a blessing from Mother Nature.
State Senator District 20 — Jack Latvala (R) : NO. I am opposed to Amendment 2. It is very wide ranging and a “debilitating illness” is not defined. It allows marijuana to be used for sleep problems, various aches and pains, etc. Also it would allow marijuana to be given to minors without parental consent. All other forms of medical treatment require parental consent.
Challenger Tony Caso (LPF): YES. I am in support of amendment 2. There are many people that suffer from some terrible diseases, like Parkinson’s, Cancer, Tourette’s, etc. that the medical marijuana has been proven to help. This is not about making it easier for people to get high at will. It is about people who suffer to get relief.
Florida House of Representatives District 65 — Carl “Z” Zimmermann (D): YES. I do support Amendment 2. The reason is very personal. My sister fought breast cancer for about 18 years and the last six months of her life she was at home under hospice care. She was bedridden, under heavy narcotics for pain relief, and not eating. She was given medical marijuana and as a result was able to get off the heavy drugs, to get of bed and to eat. While she probably did not live one day longer, her quality of life was 100% better at the end. I think the benefits of medical marijuana far outweigh the effects of hard narcotics.
Challenger Chris Sprowls (R): NO. I do not support Amendment Two. While as a cancer survivor I am sympathetic to those who support Amendment Two for the critically Ill, that is not what this amendment does. It is marijuana on demand: for anyone, at anytime for anything, including children. That is why I am opposed to it.
Florida House of Representatives District 66 — Larry Ahern (R): NO. Amendment 2 should NOT be placed into Florida’s Constitution. Please Vote NO on Amendment 2 in order to keep “Pot, Grass, Dope, Mary Jane” and whatever other names it is now known by, off our streets and out of the hands and heads of our children. Medical Marijuana is already the Law of the Land in Florida. We passed a bill allowing for Charlotte’s Web, a Medically Safe, Low THC State Regulated (treated like a medicine) strain of Marijuana in the 2014 session. Medical Marijuana is already in Florida Statutes where it belongs and does not need to be on the ballot.
Challenger Lorena Grizzle (D: YES. Amendment 2 is for voters to decide and I support it. A few years ago I had a wonderful student in my special education class who suffered from Shaken Baby Syndrome. Although infrequent, this student had such severe seizures that we were required to call paramedics. The grandparents had tried different medications without much success. Eventually the heart became so damaged from the seizures that the student passed away at only age seven. This is just one story of many where medical marijuana could have saved a child’s life. This amendment will decriminalize the doctor-patient relationship and will allow people who are currently on much harsher and addictive medicines to have more alternatives.
House of Representatives District 69 — Kathleen Peters (R): NO. First and foremost I do support medical marijuana … through my support of the Charlotte’s Web legislation during the 2014 legislative session … However, I do not support Amendment 2 … If this passes as an amendment … the process to fix a glitch within the language is extremely onerous and cumbersome … If this language was passed through the legislative process, it is much easier to fix any glitch …The language isso broad and inclusive … it will lend itself to significant abuses similar to the experience the Tampa Bay region had with pill mills … This constitutional amendment does not take the euphoric properties out of marijuana and lends itself to abuse and unintended consequences. (Excerpted from longer comments.)
Challenger Scott T. Orsini (D): YES. I support Amendment 2 because it is an issue of compassion for me. Some patients legitimately need this medication to improve their quality of life, and they shouldn’t be denied access to medication their doctor thinks will help them. However, the government must ensure that medical marijuana is only available to those who have been prescribed it by a medical doctor.
County Commission candidates were not asked for comments as their positions do not affect the issue.
County Commissioner – At Large District 2
Patricia “Pat” Gerard (D) and Ed Hooper (R)
County Commissioner District 4
Dave Eggers (R) and Carl Folkman (NPA) and Marcus Harrison (NPA)
County Commissioner District 6:
John Morroni (R) Unopposed
Story by Steve Traiman
[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via email at straiman@mindspring.com.]