The state officials may as well get used to the idea. The people support medical marijuana and 13 states already say that marijuana has medical use. It is a fact that the Attorney General of Florida -Bill McCollum co-sponsored a scheduling bill when he was in the U.S. House of Representatives back in 1972. One way or another medical marijuana is coming to Florida. Please help support the effort.
Jeff Brown Central Florida ambassador for Americans for Safe Access and volunteer for the Florida initiative.

The language in the petition appears to invite the state to create special or new penalties for driving under the influence of marijuana. Because traces of the drug remain in the body, ie blood and urine, for up to six weeks after use, police could require tests which would show a person had the substance in their bodies and could be found guilty, even if they were not under the influence at the time. Actually, research has indicated driving under the influence of marijuana does not create a safety issue.
Thought you might want to think about that while the movement is still young.
Bob Boyle,
St. Petersburg

Florida has a high rate of HIV cases - over 125,000 known cases, and Broward County has the highest per capita ranking in the nation for new cases of HIV almost every year.
Additionally, there are approximately 100,000 people in Florida with cancer, and who knows how many have MS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, glaucoma, arthritis, etc etc.
So clearly many Floridians are probably already using cannabis for relief as medicine, but they have to do it under the cloak of criminality. Most will 'score' it on the street, or black-market, where they face possible arrest, stabbing, or rip-off.
A new law like this will make an exemption (a word you find a lot in the IRS Tax Code - for 'exceptions') in which pot possession and small amounts will be overlooked by local police as they find them. The cops and their superiors, as well as local county DA's will not bring charges, even if an arrest goes down. Most criminal lawyers and public defenders will be on the look out for pot cases where the perp is a serious medical patient.
This will relieve the court system of many fruitless cases, and also deprive the jails of a few sickly pot-heads. Big savings, right there.

I am currently a disabled person from the state of Colorado, I currently have been unable to find any FDA approved relief for my conditions, I have been with the medicinal marijuana program for about 3 years, recently I had lost my job, due to no fault of my own, the fact is the unemployment is almost as bad in that state, my family had moved to the florida and I decided that although I did have the privilage to medicate in that state the consistant cold weather plays a major factor in my pain management, I came to florida to escape the winter season and visit my family, while trying to find employment in this state. I was pulled over by an officer, who asked if he could search my vehicle, to which I replied yes, not trying to upset the officer. During his search he had found my medication in a perscription bottle, he had asked what I had it for and I explained my medical condition and that I did carry a liscense to do so. I had explained that I am disabled and that being unsure of the state's regulations of this matter he immidatly put me into custody, now due to this matter I have had no choice but to claim temporary residence in florida until the case can be addressed, but they have such an extreem point of view on the subject that they are going to take away my drivers liscense for 2 years, take any and all moneys that I have, and turn me into a criminal over self medicating, I feel that this is a completely unjust matter and am willing to do whatever it takes to prevent the further exploitation of others in such condidtions, also I am only 28 years old and have to live with these disabilities for the rest of my life. I am seeking any resource available to fight this matter, I would like to bring this into the media and expose such in order to help the disabled persons of florida achive something that should be viewed as an alternative resource to taking perscription medications. I believe by bringing this curcumstance on the forefront that it may open peoples eyes to an unerstanding, the economic crisis in the United States seems like legal organizations are exploiting any situation to gain income for self rectification. Anyone who can help please feel free to contact me at MetalSkull@hotmail.com and put something in the subject line to make it known that's why your e-mailing me, I recieve alot of spam/junk, so it will be easier to identify.

Thank You,
Jake Godzak

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the interest you all are taking in this. I hope you all will do all that you can to ensure this petition drive passes.

You can download the petition at http://www.pufmm.com or email me at gieseghj@gmail.com

Joshua Giesegh
Campaign Manager
PUFMM

My husband called from offshore to tell me about this campaign he had heard on the radio. Knew I would be interested because of research and a couple of papers I did for college.

I plan on getting as many signatures as I can and mail several in one envelope. Hope this will be acceptable.

I am also concerned about the wording of the petition, but one must start somewhere. I am glad the issue of number of plants,etc. was omitted. Let us keep it simple. I had hoped there was a way to get Marijuana/cannabis sativa removed from the Shedule One classification at the same time.

Congratulations of getting this issue on a ballot.

as a seasond grower and medical user here n the sunshine state, i too am concerned about the plant/felony laws and would love to see a medical bill passed. there has to be a million others in this giant state just like me. do we all belong in prison? i have been in law enforcement for 15 yrs and i shouldnt have to be ashamed of the only medicine i have found to help my medical conditions. (which are work related)! instead they would rather have someone making the decisions i have to make daily after taking oxycontin then eventually methadone for the addiction! well fuck that shit!

Sincerely,
One of Tampa's Finest!

I love how the cops are always the ones to speak out about these things. What happened to "we don't write the laws we just enforce them"? You cannot have a double standard guys! This is a MEDICAL issue not a criminal one. Maybe if the doctors were the one's speaking out, we'd give a shit about what they said but since it's not, WE DON'T GIVE A FUCK WHAT YOU THINK. sorry for the profanity but I just really need to drive the point home that police don't write prescriptions (or "recommendations"), doctors do. Stay out of it. As far as the Mr. Janes' concerns go, if they had written in a method of distribution i.e. dispensaries, then he would probably say something like "we can't have storefront dispensaries it'll make it easier for kids to get marijuana, and expose kids to marijuana, and people could buy kids marijuana, and kids and kids and OH GOD THINK OF THE CHILDREN". Well we have to start somewhere sir, and if you're concerned about the method of distribution then you can amend the initiative after it's passed to allow for dispensaries. Thanks.

I frequently enjoy inhaling Cannabis Sativa with friends.

I think they should remove marijuana off the law books and concentrate the resources towards getting rid of crack cocaine and crystal meth.

Interesting I started looking here because I care for my 89 year old grandmother. They just prescribed her marinol because she is both depressed and needed apetite stimulant and the doctor thought it would be best for her. I couldnt help but think, grandma would probably do better just eating a marijuana brownie every day which we could grow for her for free rather then having medicaid/medicare having to pay the $700 a month cost of marinol.

Not only that but I believe the vast majority of marijuana users in this country spend their entire lives as law abiding citizens, using the drug from their 20's until they eventually die of old age and never have been caught. Might as well legalize because I have uncles and know many people moving into their old age that have done just that. They've used the drug all their lives, never had a moment's trouble obtaining marijuana and also never been caught ever, and like 95% of marijuana users in this country, probably never will.

I knew people that used alcohol as the step up drug. I know people that while drunk tried crack, became addicted to crack and never tried marijuana, now that person switched to marjuana, the pot got them to quit crack 10 years ago as a substitute, so actually I would say I've seen crack and marijuana be a stair stepping towards marijuana far more times then the other way around! All the DEA does is spread lies and wants to destroy lives in order to better their own law enforcement careers.

I am putting some 25 ballots in the mail today that me, my family and neighbors signed. We are Americans and we should have the right to remove bad laws and this is what we want to be a part of. I urge other Florida voters to sign petitions and send them in! Florida is a nice place but we have asses running the state, but sooner or later they need to realize they pass laws the voters do not want.

I am just getting into the world of medical marijuana these past few weeks due to an accident that happened sometime back, and have found that marijuana has helped me reduce my narcotic use due to pain from 300 hundred milligrams of oxycodone or so in the form of Oxycontin 80 mg tablets, down to just my break thru medication for the remainder of the pain....This has just been experimental for me let me say (past couple of weeks) but I do know that it works for me like I could not even explain to those of you that have not had to live thru unmanageable pain. But, as you all know, right now, I have run the risk of getting caught, perhaps going to court which would be a crock because I have only had minimal amounts to see if the marijuana helped me. So, here I am a 40 yr (or so) old male that has found something more effective, non-addictive and is a plant that I can grow in my home or backyard that could make me not need the most addictive, strongest narcotic prescription pharmaceutical drug in the world. Hmmm, sounds pretty good so far. Also, please note that opiate addiction is a major problem, and if by prescribing medical marijuana to those who can benefit in lieu of strong, highly addictive narcotics, this in turn would reduce the amount of 'codones and 'cottins that get diverted onto our streets. I do feel that there should be some more language added, and correct me if I am wrong, that what is going on NOW, is to get signatures from REGESTERED voters to put the proposed language out to the voters in 2010....I believe that if the group wants to modify the language of the proposal in 2010 prior to vote, that they could add language that would state that perhaps store front dispensaries shall be able to dispense medical marijuana at licensed businesses that would be regulated, taxed as any other business would be governed....We need to get the support of the medical folks (which we have) but I feel we need to better the language and add some legal language...plant limits so as to have a uniform state, dispensary wordage (maybe require a state licensed Florida pharmacist to dispense and verify prescriptions) for those who want to open the needed medical marijuana shops. I guess my point here is that yes, I would and will vote for this bill as written, however, I feel that we need to get the support of just about everyone including law enforcement...I know that someone before me (guy dropping the f-bomb describing something in his anger) mentions that law enforcement should stay out of this...Cant happen..Support of our local Florida Sherriffs and all City Departments is vital in the long run, and the short as well. This can and will work, but again, the key to a good bill is all in the language and we should be looking towards the other states and how "they" worded their passage bill, modify ours taking their good points, learn from their mistakes as to what is working and not working there, and modify our language of the bill to make as many people happy, get our medical marijuana bill passed, and still have marijuana NOT be legal just for everyone to go out and smoke or grow. There WOULD have to still be laws that would preclude sale and or growing by folks who are currently selling to minors and or are not licensed. Licensing also in my opinion, is the governmental pleasure edorphine trigger word. Taxes generated by shop sales will offset the recent properly value declines and generate in excess of $500,000,000.00 in taxes within two years or so. Government folks, you have your ears open? I for one dont want my taxes going up which many municipalities are speaking of as I write this opinion. So, to those that are seriously involved and are the decision makers for our cause, please look toward others work so as not to reinvent the wheel. Lets make it easy for our bill to pass, as that IS our whole objective here right! In conclusion, inasmuch as I want this bill to pass, please join our cause, poke others and let them know that we here in Florida are going to make history and be involved in one of the best law changes in the history of our great state! Dont forget to get out there and promote our cause for 2010, as you may be the one that requires the use of this God given plant that flourishes here in our state.

By the way, I smoked marijuana back in 1981-83 off and on recreationally, stopped doing it when I got tired of it, and did not fall prey to it as a gateway drug as claimed by some who will try to blind you with non documented foolishness. I can say with great happiness, and new hope, that I will not be required to hide, worry about being arrested if we can get this bill passed that will change my life, and many others in such a positive way! God Bless

Please to those who read this....Please vote yes on this medical marijuana bill. Mr. Chris has the write idea about how to get everyone involved, get there ideas on what they want then when we get the support from most, we will get it passed easy pizzy lemon squizey and we all will be happy! Hey Mr. Chris, you single? Naughty Hottie

Speaking of cannabis, reminds me of a plant God refers to 5 times in the Old Testament (Hebrew text), beginning with Exodus when he instructed Moses on how to make holy anointing oil.....

Exodus 30:22-25
Then the Lord said to Moses, "Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of kaneh-bosm, 500 shekels of cassia--all according to the sanctuary shekel--and a hind of olive oil. And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be a holy anointing oil.

I'm sure it's purely coincidental that kaneh-bosm (the singular form of which would be kaneh-bos) sounds an awful lot like cannabis. It's probably blasphemous just to post this comment. (this is where a sarcasm font would come in handy).

I encourage everyone I meet to watch the movie "The Union--The Business of Getting High". You can watch it instantly on Netflix. It is one of the most engaging, educating, eye-opening, thought-provoking documentaries I have ever seen.

Marijuana is a PLANT, not a DRUG. Nicotine, however, is a drug...yet tobacco farms are government subsidized. Hmmm.

Alcohol and cigarettes kill millions of people every year from using it. You cant overdose on Marijuana, it is the best medicine. If we "The United States" were to legalize it "AGAIN" we could be booming economy wise because hemp can be used for fule, paper, clothes, medicine the list is non stop but yet we continue to live this lie that it kills and its dangerous.. but name one person that has died from smoking marijuana.. for a little update on the US Government and marijuana i highly suggest the movie " The Union: the business behind getting high " Get educated on it before you say one negative thing about it.

Comments by the Drug Warriors linking cannabis legalization to the fear of increased access by children are stupid lies that should not go unchallenged. The facts are that under the current regime of prohibition, unregulated cannabis is now easier for children to get than either alcohol or tobacco.

But the drug warriors know that many of our citizens still "can't handle the truth" about cannabis, so they continue on with their lies and propoganda. The primary objective of drug warriors is to keep the taxpayer gravy train flowing so that they can hold on to their bullshit jobs which largely consist of arresting and persecuting cannabis users.

In these times of shrinking tax revenues and cutting of government services, do we really need to continue to spend billions and billions of tax dollars on this immoral and oppressive policy???

Germany faced this dilemma before deciding to decrimilize cannaboids (and other soft drugs), as well as most of the rest of Europe. Important to remember: cannaboids are NOT legal in countries in Europe, just tolerated - this allows law enforcement there to charge you if in possession and acting irresponsively, especially if you are a public nuisance. For driving under the influence of drugs (DUID), the Germans developed a "litmus strip" test, where they use the test paper, a litmus paper strip, and dab it to your saliva (tongue or inside cheek?), which can evaluate (thru color?) recent use - in lieu of a urinalysis which would indicate up to 30 days after use, despite the fact the THC is stored in the fatty cells of the body, and no longer influences the brain and motor control (as noted under Marijuana in the Merck Manual, a doctor's reference. This "litmus test" allows onsite testing with rapid response.

It's sad that I may have to leave Florida to move to a state that has legalized medicinal cannaboids/marijuana. I have used cannaboids, both USA and Europe, since I was 14 - 41 years and have never, ever had an ill effect. I had to quit smoking (thankfully) after traumatic lung injury while in the military, and the scar tissue and fibrosis reacts violently to most smoke - except that of cannaboids, but overuse does cause some discomfort, and more often I ingest now (like Bruce Lee!). Due to some liver damage, also traumatically induced, I quit drinking alcoholic bevarages, for the most part (I miss the wine) around 4 years ago. Because of high costs and cultivation issues, I am strongly planning to relocate to a state where I can live and medicate without the stress of my privacy being insulted and violated.

I have lived all over the world, and Florida has always been my home - I love it. But the propoganda being spread by opponents of either medical or recreational cannaboid use, be it the government at any level, the pharmaceudical corporations, or the worst and most uninformed - the law enforcement organizations, I am afraid, will stall any decisions made in this state. I hope that after I move, the laws will change and I will again reside here.

Note to Anonymous: The plant is called "marijuana"; cannibis or cannaboids is the term for the different forms and levels, i.e., hash, oils, butters, THC, etc. Marijuana is not a "slang" term, but refers to cannibis in the plant form.

Just want to say that it should be legal, treat it just like alcohol and tabacco with sales and laws! We need to get everyone to sign up in Florida to get it on the ballet for 2010!!!!!!!!

I suffer from chronic pain 24/7 I am on SSD and cannot work, I take enough narcotics to kill an elephant, It is only taking all my SSD to keep my life somewhat worth living not to mention my two children keep me positive. I know this hurts the politicians ego's to even consider the fact that marijuana can help people in severe pain, I trust they still all are human and have some compassion for people that suffer every moment of every day! I have tried marijuana for pain and was surprised at how much relief I actually got, my doctor said he would write me a prescription but in Florida he can't. I think I would not be addicted to all these narcotics if it was medically legal, Unfortunately marijuana like any other drugs has side effects, none that can compare to the ones that I currently take, but marijuana does make one very paranoid and that makes me not smoke it because I constantly think the Feds will break my door down and arrest me and take my kids away and my home from me, which I worked all my life for and own it with no mortgage. If it wasn't for this I would smoke it every day for pain instead of taking all these pills. It makes me think that the pharmaceutical companies are in on keeping it banned, why? well if someone can grow a plant that can alleviate nausea, headache, stress and anxiety, PMS cramps, and Pain that seems like it would hurt a lot of the pharmaceutical companies pill sales because less drugs would be needed, less doctor visits needed, and insurance companies would even lose money! now I can see why the thought of allowing this plant thats been around much longer than our own constitution and government has been kept oblivious to the American people in fear that they might find out it's many uses and benefits would prove so many people wrong because of the spoon feeding of mis-information to the public which our government and media are extremely good at. I have MS and Chronic Back pain from an accident, why am I being denied a simple drug that has not one single record of killing anyone from an overdose or an accident where alcohol wasn't involved with it?(it's still classified as if it where heroin). Florida needs to get with the other 13 states, you are denying good hard working tax paying people the right to get relief from whatever medical conditions they suffer from and that is not a very caring or humane state to deny me or others access to a simple plant that can help the mind block pain.

William D.

We will only see change come to Florida when we bring it to our government and demand it. The petition effort is going strong in Florida and across the country, but we need your help! PUFMM (http://pufmm.org) is dedicated to doing everything we can to ask every voter in Florida to sign our petition. Tell your friends, in Florida and in other states, to check out the Marijuana Ballot Initiative website (http://marijuanaballot.org) to join the Florida campaign or learn how to start your own campaign in another state.