An advocate for legalizing medical marijuana in Florida says voters should approve Amendment 2 on Nov. 4 out of compassion for those whose pain might be lessened by its use.
A foe says the proposed amendment to the state constitution has loopholes that would allow widespread use of the drug, and would open the door to “pot shops” that could be placed near churches and schools.
Ben Pollara, campaign manager for United For Care, a pro-medical marijuana group, debated Jessica Spencer, coalition director for the Drug-Free Florida Committee, as part of a Palm Beach Civic Association Election Forum Monday at The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea.
Pollara said his group refined language used in other states’ laws to develop Amendment 2.
“There are now 23 states, plus [Washington] D.C., with medical marijuana laws. So, despite what they tell you about the loopholes and the flaws in the law — they don’t exist. This is not something new we are trying here. This is not an experiment here. We are not reinventing the wheel. Amendment 2 is a carefully crafted law that is drawn from the experience of almost half of the rest of the country,” Pollara said.
Spencer, however, called the proposed amendment poorly written and said Florida should not rush to enact an amendment that would supersede local laws.
“The framers of this amendment may have had the best intentions in mind, but their intentions aren’t actually on the ballot. Amendment 2 is on the ballot,” said Spencer, who is also statewide coalition director for Vote No on 2. “And it is about de facto legalization of pot because it’s actually more loosely and broadly written than all of the 23 states that have medical marijuana laws, including Massachusetts.”
With the proposed amendment in mind, Mayor Gail Coniglio on Oct. 14 directed staff to draft an ordinance that would prohibit the creation of medical marijuana dispensaries in town for a year. Doing so would allow the town to understand the full implications of state law, if voters pass the amendment, Town Manager Peter Elwell has said.
In related news, the Civic Association and Citizens’ Association of Palm Beach have scheduled a Meet Your Candidates event from 5:30-7 p.m. today at the South Fire Station, 2185 S. Ocean Blvd.
Organizers have invited candidates for Congress, governor, attorney general, agriculture commissioner, chief financial officer and other candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot to attend. For reservations, visit PalmBeachCivic.org/elections or call 655-5466.
To watch a video of the proposed medical marijuana law debate, go to PalmBeachDailyNews.com.
Proposed state Amendment No. 2, if approved by 60 percent or more of voters, would legalize the use of marijuana to treat people with debilitating diseases such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV, Crohn’s disease and other conditions, as long as a physician licensed in Florida certifies in writing that the potential benefits of the use outweigh the health risks.
It would allow caregivers who are 21 or older to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana and would have the Department of Health to register and regulate growers and distributors. The proposed amendment states that “nothing in this section shall affect laws related to (the) non-medical use, possession, production or sale of marijuana.”
The proposed amendment is two pages long. To read the full text, visit election.dos.state.fl.us and click on “Constitutional Amendments/Referendum,” then “2014 Proposed Constitutional Amendments.”
Proposed medical marijuana law debated
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