Marijuana, pot, weed, Mary Jane, chronic, or Dagga – whatever you want to call it it has been contested in American culture for decades now.
Is it good or bad?
Recently, citizens in numerous states have come to the conclusion that legalizing marijuana for medical use is right for them, despite federal prohibitions on medicinal cannabis.
In Florida, State Senator Jeff Clemens has introduced SB1250 – alternatively called the Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act.
Jordan’s home was raided because she was using medical marijuana to help with her Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
This bill would allow any qualifying patient to hold an identification card allowing the patient (or their caregiver) to “possess and use paraphernalia for a specified purpose.” All marijuana would need to be obtained from a dispensary or an official cannibis farm. Florda State Representative, Katie Edwards, has also introduced a companion House bill, HB1139.
Jodi James, the executive director of the Florida Cannabis Action Network (FLCAN) told the Tampa Bay Times, “We know the public is not opposed to making cannabis available. The polls are all going in that direction.”
She is absolutely right. Numerous polls across the nation, including the Quinnipiac and the Rasmussen, have found that Americans are in favor of legalizing medical marijuana. Florida’s own Miami Herald found that 7 of 10 people in Florida are in favor of allowing doctors prescribe medical marijuana.
But the feds continue to insist the people in a given state cannot have their say, asserting an unconstitutional power to regulate marijuana across the entire U.S. Despite the federal prohibition, 18 states have legalized medicinal cannabis.
“If the people of Florida believe medical marijuana can help their fellow citizens, moving forward with this legislation is the right things to do,” Tenth Amendment Center communications director Mike Maharrey said. “Ignoring the feds and their unauthorized rules is the right thing to do.”
As of right now both SB1250 and HB1139 have been introduced. SB1250 has been referred off to the Health Policy, Judiciary, Criminal Justice, and Appropriations committees.
ACTION ITEMS FOR FLORIDA
So what can you do now?
(1) Contact your legislators and tell them that you support SB1250 and sister bill HB1139. Remember one letter/email equals hundreds of voices. Use flsenate.gov to find your legislator.
(2) Go to People United for Medical Marijuana (PUFMM) and sign their petition to put an initiative on the 2014 ballot in Florida that would amend the state constitution to allow medical marijuana. don’t forget to join the PUFMM Facebook page.
(3) Like the SB1250 Facebook page.
(4) Be open with your friends, family, and neighbors that you are in favor of people using medical marijuana. Many people don’t want to be the first but as they hear more of it, they too will openly join the movement.
LEGISLATION AND TRACKING
Track the status of state marijuana legislation in states around the country HERE
Also, you may want to contact the sponsors of this bill and thank them:
Representatives Jeff Clemens and Katie Edwards
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