Janelle Irwin Taylor
Pro-medical marijuana groups are praising a bill filed by state Sen. Jeff Brandes Monday. The Florida Medical Marijuana Act would authorize physicians to prescribe marijuana to patients afflicted with one of 14 specific illnesses.
“I’m very encouraged by Sen. Brandes’ bill. As a sheriff and as the son of a cancer survivor, responsible, comprehensive, medical marijuana legislation is critically important to me. I hope my fellow sheriffs will see this bill in the same light and work towards consensus on this issue which is deeply personal to many Floridians, as it is to me,” said Flagler County Sheriff Jim Manfre, whose mother suffered from cancer.
The bill adds to the medical marijuana initiative passed last year that allowed for the legal prescription of strains of marijuana low in the high-inducing chemical THC, but high in the therapeutic property CBD. The strain would be cultivated into an oil and limited to a very small group of patients suffering from seizures or cancer.
This bill not only expands legal use to a broader array of suffering patients, it also would answer some technical questions as far as regulating the drug. Right now the matter is tied up in a committee and contingent on the group presenting agreed upon regulations to the Legislature before this year’s session begins in March.
“While SB 1030 was monumental in that our Legislature –for the first time — recognized marijuana as medicine, it simply did not help all sick and suffering Floridians in the way that Senator Brandes’ bill would, if passed,” Dan Rogers, director of legislative affairs for Florida for Care, said.
The filed legislation is likely a response to the failed Amendment 2 initiative this past November. The medical marijuana amendment failed, but with more than 50 percent of the vote. Supporters noted that more people voted for medical marijuana than did for Gov. Rick Scott.
“I am extraordinarily encouraged by Senator Brandes introducing this important piece of legislation. He has clearly heard and respects the voice of the vast majority of Floridians who want to see a compassionate medical marijuana law in our state,” said Amendment 2’s creator John Morgan. “I sincerely hope that with his leadership the Legislature will finally act on this issue in the upcoming session. My brother Tim and hundreds of thousands of suffering Floridians like him are counting on it.”
Morgan grew passionate on the issue as a result of his brother, who has benefitted from using marijuana as medicine after an accident years ago.
“We are very excited to see Senator Brandes file this important piece of legislation. Senator Brandes has taken a courageous step in service of making the voice of Floridians heard on this issue,” added Ben Pollara, executive director of Florida for Care, the organization created by Morgan to push for Amendment 2’s passage.
Brandes’ bill would add patients suffering from AIDS, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and any physical medical condition that leads to wasting syndrome, severe and persistent nausea, muscle spasms or pain.
Under the bill, each of Florida’s 67 counties would be able to determine whether or not to allow retail facilities to distribute the marijuana and, if so, how many there would be. The law would take effect July 1 if approved.
