Drug War Issues
Politics & Advocacy
In a true grassroots effort, a group of Floridians organized as People United for Medical Marijuana (PUFMM) has begun an effort to put a medical marijuana initiative on the November 2010 ballot. The group needs some 687,000 valid signatures of registered voters in the next nine months to qualify.
The group is not affiliated with any national organization and says it needs $5 million for the signature gathering drive and the election campaign. Unlike more traditional initiative campaigns, PUFMM is relying heavily on Internet-based activism. The group's Facebook page already has 4,800 members, and PUFMM is counting on cascading new memberships to gather what it hopes is 1.2 million signatures, providing a very comfortable cushion at validation time. PUFMM is also hoping for each signatory to kick in $5. That way, the group could meet its self-imposed budget goal.
"Patients need a safe, affordable and effective medication. We hope Florida will lead the nation in marijuana research to further its uses as a medicine," PUFMM head Kim Russell, whose father suffers from Parkinson's Disease, told the Cape Coral Daily Breeze."There is absolute support, we just have to get everyone organized," she said, citing favorable national polling data.
If approved, the petition would create a constitutional amendment that reads as follows:
"(a) No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property or otherwise penalized for the cultivation, purchase, use or possession of marijuana in connection with the treatment of Alzheimer's, cachexia, cancer, chronic pain, chronic nervous system disorders, Crohn's disease, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, diseases causing muscle spasticity, or other diseases and conditions when recommended by a physician.
"(b) This section shall be self-executing. The legislature, however, may provide by general law for the voluntary registration of persons intending to exercise their rights hereunder and for the regulation of the distribution and sale of marijuana to persons intending to exercise their rights hereunder.
"(c) Nothing herein, however, shall be construed so as to prevent the legislature from enacting laws penalizing the operation of motor vehicles, boats, watercraft or aircraft while under the influence of marijuana or regulating the use of marijuana by minors. Similarly, all laws in effect at the time of adoption of this section penalizing the operation of motor vehicles, boats, watercraft or aircraft while under the influence of marijuana or regulating the use of marijuana by minors shall remain in force."
The proposed amendment does not create limits on the number of plants or the amount of usable marijuana patients may possess. It appears to leave that up to the legislature. In fact, PUFMM would prefer that the legislature just went ahead and passed a medical marijuana bill and is asking people to write to their representatives in the hope of achieving just that. "We are hoping they will submit a bill rather than a ballot initiative," Russell said. "The Internet is a huge resource for us."
While the effort is just a week old, it has already been denounced by the Florida Sheriff's Association and by Bill Janes, director of Florida's Office of Drug Control. "When we increase the availability of marijuana we increase the availability for young people," Janes said. "What this petition doesn't address is how the marijuana will be controlled. Will we just allow random growing of marijuana?"
Permission to Reprint: This content is licensed under a modified Creative Commons Attribution license. Content of a purely educational nature in Drug War Chronicle appear courtesy of DRCNet Foundation, unless otherwise noted.
Comments
Florida medical marijuana
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.
In reply to Florida medical marijuana by Anonymous (not verified)
legalize it, and control it.
legalize it, and control it. people over 18 should have no trouble getting some medicine to make them feel better...theres really nothing wrong with it
In reply to Florida medical marijuana by Anonymous (not verified)
multiple sclerosious
i have m s the only thing that helps me is weed I am in the process of not having any therefor i am in constant pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pleeeeeze leagalize the only thing that helps me
thankyou susan cologgi
In reply to multiple sclerosious by susan cologgi (not verified)
med marj
how long have you fried the maj for ms. I hav fibromyalgia and newly diagnosed ms
In reply to multiple sclerosious by susan cologgi (not verified)
the pain is to much
In reply to Florida medical marijuana by Anonymous (not verified)
I was in a real deadly
I was in a real deadly accident when i was 15 i am now 22, i live in columbia county fl, i have been suffering from chronic pain since then, im on disability for the rest of my life, and the only thing that can get me thru the day is marijuana, it eases my pain, and relaxes my mind, but yet im on probation for cultivation, i had 1 plant and the D.A. tries to put me in prision for 15 years, they know my story and yet they refuse to help me, i think it should be legal any way, its not a drug! a drug has chemicals added, this shit comes from the ground, i swear it seems like our government is communist! they dont care bout us we aint nothin but dollar bills to them! if they dont legalize it im going to smoke it anyway.....
In reply to I was in a real deadly by Johnny Wester (not verified)
Sorry to hear about your
Sorry to hear about your situation, my advice is move out to the west coast where you won't be hassled for taking or growing your meds, it's criminal for anyone to be put in jail for growing a plant!
In reply to I was in a real deadly by Johnny Wester (not verified)
read your post on procon, i live in columbia county too
i have crohn's disease and cronic pain due to arthritis really need this to pass how about the two of us getting a rally together in lake city, it shouldn't be against your probation to protest the way you were treated, i'd like to get a local petition drive going, what do you think, my Number is 386-481-0017Cell ,, thanks David
In reply to Florida medical marijuana by Anonymous (not verified)
petition
It was given to us by god, its part of the earth legalize it. We aren't going too stay quiet for long.
One potential big problem I see
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
In reply to One potential big problem I see by Anonymous (not verified)
drivig under the influence while....
so if its not a safety hazard to drive under the influence of cannabis ( marijuana is a slang term) is it ok to drive under the influence and text message while eating fries and putting on makeup???
In reply to drivig under the influence while.... by Anonymous (not verified)
Perhaps you should learn the
Perhaps you should learn the difference between a synonym and a slang word, and if you are going to choose to smart ass, perhaps you should at least use the "full" scientific name for marijuana. I mean, if we're being specific, that is.
In reply to One potential big problem I see by Anonymous (not verified)
Good concern voiced
This is very true. I was told by the founding member of The Appalachian Drug Task Force in the N. Ga Mtns. that this is one reason they would have a hard time legalizing it unless they could come up with a test to see if you actually were under the influence at that exact time. I have been driving since 16 and have never even gotten a traffic or parking ticket. I don't do it often now that I am older, but I have smoked and driven many times in the past. I actually think I am more cautious and aware of my surroundings than most that have not toked. Good Luck Florida. If all of the states around Georgia do it, then maybe they will at least talk about it in our state.
In reply to One potential big problem I see by Anonymous (not verified)
From Michigan some tips
I would take a look at our law . It refers to possesion which can be considerred internal . Patients drive everyday on Opiates , benzoids , Nsaids , anti depresants . Like you said this is for medical use . You take medcine to reduce symptons which improves your abillities , . The people that claim were inebriated are merely uneducated or wont except the truth becuase of personal quirks . Marijuana was sold by all the major pharmacueticals here in the United States up to 1938 . Morphine is legal to drive on . You must drive within laws set up for everyone . California has come to grip with it and evaluates people as individuals . It is recomended you wait 24 hours to drive in Canada , 12 hours with a nights sleep is considerred reasonable but sadly you may have to convince a jury until case law is put in place . We should bring down zero tolerance or at least make exception for marijuana as has been done in some States . There are laws in place to charge people who drive wreckless and break traffic laws . There are no substitutes or other medications that work as well for many . Thats why this is winning across the land . Even more ridiculous is that the drug war is doing anything but dividing the country pushing people into the underground economy and breaking up families leaving kids without homes .
Since the Goverment officials displaced by the end of prohibition cooked this up to keep their power and jobs no research or work has been done with the plant . People die , families are split up , houses confiscated and they claim their stopping abuse and helping children . They lost a girl who was raped and killed and didnt even know it in the Foster care system down there a few years ago . Educate and you will get your 60% . I would also of added something to let people from other States enjoy Florida protections or reciprocity . Its time people can go across State lines . Florida is a leading tourist State . Give the visitors with out of STate cards protections . Its time we had cruises for medical marijuana patients .
In reply to One potential big problem I see by Anonymous (not verified)
driving under the influence
there is a huge difference between using and driving and having it show up in a field test. The cops are trained to see if you are impaired mentally so that excuse just went out the window.
Exemption from Prosecution - Patients Have Rights
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 would like to bring exposure to this topic to the media in Fl
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 [email protected] 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
PUFMM
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 [email protected]
Joshua Giesegh
Campaign Manager
PUFMM
In reply to PUFMM by Anonymous (not verified)
HI! I'm living in Florida,
HI! I'm living in Florida, but don't have a florida drivers license. Can I still sign the petition? And is there an age restriction on signing as well?
In reply to HI! I'm living in Florida, by Anonymous (not verified)
Of course there is an age requirement to sign this petition!!!! Everyone that wants this organization to win DOESN'T understand CA passed marijuana for medicinal purposes and the bill is not good enough for all the pot heads. Its just too hard to tell the doctor you have a belly ache to get your own medicinal pot card. Pot heads are too damn lazy. CA residents want to legalize it completely now. It has never been about medicinal purposes! It distracts you but can NOT heal you in any way shape or form. You waste your life on that shit. Gotta love that chronic cough you get from medicinal marijuana to heal your chronic pain! Pot is just like pills, it helps one thing and fucks something else up. Deal with the pain, your damaging your immune system by smoking. Everyone who wants this bills to pass should be shot. I do not want my children to be on the road with anyone under the influence. I have been in two accidents with friends who were under the influence. Explain that.
In reply to by Dont passthisbill (not verified)
u need to keep an open mind
u need to keep an open mind and not try to blame marijuana users for your loss.....i am truly sorry ...but i think u r blinded by hate.......or dislike like for marijuana users.....and that is the correct term.....u would not call a african american a nigger would u ?? so dont call a cannibus user a ''pothead'' it is very offensive ......
In reply to by Dont passthisbill (not verified)
ignorance
This is just another uneducated opinion on the subject. I dont want to be on the road when kids are driving either but i cant stop that. I would rather be in a car driven by someone who just smoked some herb than someone who just had 1 beer. I have smoked all my life, it dont make me lazy or a "couch potato". I have smoked it doing most everything. I have smoked with politicians, law enforcement personnel and medical workers of all different levels. I can with almost 100% conviction say that over 60% of the people I have personally come to know use marijuana in one form or another. 95% of the ones that dont, have no problem with the fact that I do. I smoked all thru college amd recieved my associates degree with a 3.97 GPA. I know a man that when he was 12 his parents introduced him to herb because he was having a lot of problems in school and they were told he had a hard time focusing, attention defecit disorder I believe it was. The next school year he was on the presidential honor roll, He is almost 30 now has a "great" job and still smokes to this day. He moved to where it was legal. If they do not make it legal here in Florida then i am moving too, as I have heard from many others. These people that get on here and make remarks like the one I am replying too, they are either ignorant to the facts or they have their own agenda to discredit the facts. I want to add that by making it legal it will actually make it harder for kids to get it, because an adult with a legal script for herb wont risk losing it by selling to a minor. The illegal sellers will become almost non existant , and that will take away a resource for kids also. Yes they will still find away as they do now, you cant stop kids from doing what they want, without locking them up. But it will make it harder for them. My son told me he wanted to try it back when he was in his teens, so I took him to the drive-in theater, because back then noone cared there. Any way he took a few puffs and then slept thru the movie. To this day, over 10 years later, he does not smoke and doesnt want to. i satisfied his curiosity with no peer pressure in an enviroment i controlled. I would hate to think what would of happened if he had gone with freinds to experience it, who knows, they might of been drinking too and he would not have learned what he wanted to. I would not have minded if he had liked it, i just gave him a fair chamce to make his own decsion.
In reply to by Dont passthisbill (not verified)
Your kids on road with pot heads?
I would be more concerned with the fatality rate related to alcohol! are you stupid? people are smoking it legal or not already on the road they just want to get it legal for medical purposes!, Oh and don't forget every 3rd car that passes yours head on is on some type of prescription drug that clearly states NOT to operate machinery! and a car is a 3,000lb. bullet! Wise up get educated and stop being one of the bicketers of Florida. I bet my entire lifes earnings that you have never smoked pot and even know the effects of it, because if you did you would say, "WoW', is that all this shit is? whats the problem, Then go drink a bottle of Captain Morgan and drive and see how many times you touch the yellow line!
In reply to Your kids on road with pot heads? by Mr. Boojangles (not verified)
Alcohol is more of a drug than ganja
Alcohol has been legal for centuries and the death rate has just been going up each year. The government hasn't done much about it except for changing the age limit a few times, but why would they keep this drug out and not do anything about weed. It's because the government makes so much money off pot. They get so many arrests each day in pot related crimes. If pot wasn't worth so much money to the government it would be legal. Think about that
In reply to by Dont passthisbill (not verified)
Explanation:
In reply to by Dont passthisbill (not verified)
To Dont passthisbill
Your obviously not a doctor because if you were then you would know that marijuana is nothing like pills. Name one single case where marijuana was the Cause of Death. Don't worry ill wait. Learn your facts I've yet to see a medical patient say since they have been using medical marijuana it has messed something else up. No other medicine has as much medical uses as marijuana. Its just a plant. If you talk about your kids that you don't want them to be around people under the influence yet keeping it illegal gives them a more likely chance of encountering it. Your friends that you were in the car with obviously aren't controllable of what they do. And it seems you can't control what you do because why get into a car with someone who was under the influence the second time after what happened the first time? Now can you explain that? Don't worry ill wait.
In reply to by Dont passthisbill (not verified)
IT WILL BE PASSED BOOO YA
YOU are under the influence of misinformation, zombied TV junke, and of course you haven't seen the countless studies of chemicals in the cannabis plant kill of tumors and cancers? The cough you are talking about, brainwashed idiot that you are is a natural process of releasing and expelling of toxic substances in our bodies though our lungs, and the studies that were done with ohh intoxicated driver? you thought that was an aprils fools joke right? Moron, all drivers while being smoked up drove slower, were more alert and bumped less into road barriers that were used in those studies EXPLAIN THAT! And you fascist fanatic would kill all Europeans too? There are over 60 beneficial chemicals in this god given plant, MANY ARE BONDING WITH THE TOXINS IN THE BODY SUCH AS HEAVY METALS INCLUDING MERCURY AND EXPEL THEM OUT. i used to make herbal tea with it. EVERY TIME I DRANK IT WAS SWEATING SOOOO MUCH LIKE AFTER A SAUNA! UNTIL I PULLED OUT ALL OF MY AMALGAM TEETH (WITH DOCTOR IMPLANTED MERCURY ) MY SWEATING LOWERED SIGNIFICANTLY SAME DAY MY LAST MERCURY TOOTH CAME OUT. Cigarettes are being advertised are loaded with deadly chemicals, and now a carpet glue (to prevent fires HA HA HAAAAAA OOOHHH GOD...) are you gonna shoot your kids if you find them smelling with tobacco? or ALCOHOL? OR IF THEY GET DEPRESSED GO AHEAD TAKE THEM TO A DOCTOR TO LOAD THEM UP WITH LIVER DESTROYING PILLS. OR... JUST
SHUT THE HELL UP YOU UNEDUCATED PREJUDICE DUMB IMBECILE
Petition signatures
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
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!
In reply to as a seasond grower and by mr. green (not verified)
reply to cop
Its good that there is at least one law enforcement officer that can use discretion when you pull someone over. Polk County Sheriffs will pull you over for a routine traffic stop, call the dog and search your vehicle after you said No when asked, so instead of getting your ticket you wait to be searched which is now a violation of civil rights, especially sinse the Supreme court handed down a new ruling on that matter, that states you can not hold a party any longer than it takes to write a ticket. Im going to court now because of 7g and because I had a cultivation charge in my past they thought they would get lucky and they did. I will fight this all the way to Supreme court if I have to. I feel raped and violated and Im pissed that I have no right to privacy.
In reply to as a seasond grower and by mr. green (not verified)
Mr. Green:Â Your response was
Mr. Green:
Your response was interesting and you are not the first law enforcement official that I've heard voice similar opinions, I stumbled across this site as I have been researching medical marijuana resources/outlets. As a Floridian, there are not any clinics or dispensaries, as I'm sure you know. I have MS and have chronic pain/muscle spasms. At this point in my life I'm not interested in buying it off the street; There is too big a risk and I have too much to lose by putting myself in a bad situation. Anyhow, I am glad to see yet another member of the law enforcement community that does see its merits.
Its about time
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.
Getting it done!
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
In reply to Getting it done! by Christopher Lee (not verified)
Well Spoken Person
The person that wrote the statement above obivously has some brains and would be the kind of person you need to promote the bill passing. He is right in his talking points, and is also right with the idea of getting as many groups and people infavor of passing the bill as we can. Josh, find out who this guy is and see if he can help us, as he is someone that we could use, he is older, profesional by looking at the way he can write and no doubt a college graduate and perhaps an attorney (that would really help). He dude, contact the cause and help get this damn thing passed so that we who need the medical marijuana can get it without having to hide. To the legal police, you no that you are failing at stopping pot, and will never, ever, stop it, so why not just get the pot legal to those who need it because they have enough to worry about being sick. We should not have to worry about hunting down our pot from some dealer (which is not that hard on any day) then having to drive it home in worry that some drunk could crash into us and we get caught with our pot....Things need to change, I will support Mr. Christer and what ever he says, I will support and follow his lead!
Passage of Medical Marijuana
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,
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
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.
Roadside checks for (recent) marijuana use in regards to DUID
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.
In reply to Roadside checks for (recent) marijuana use in regards to DUID by ReelRush (not verified)
Dear Mr Roadside
if you are going to correct people then at least know what your talking about, it is not a cannaboid, its a cannabinoid
In reply to Dear Mr Roadside by joe dailey (not verified)
lol
as far as Road Side is concerned, at least he had something to contribute, you on the other hand just sound like an ignorant control freak, good luck in your shitty life
Make it Happen!!!
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!!!!!!!!
Florida needs to get on the ball
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.
In reply to Florida needs to get on the ball by William D. (not verified)
why cannabis is ileagal
The whole reason cannabis is illegal is not because of the weed at all, its to protect the textiles that pay lobbyist huge money to keep it illegal to protect the wood industry, they make huge profits cutting down trees and selling the wood, if hemp was legal they would be out of business in this country in no time. So it's hemp that is keeping cannabis illegal.
Take Action Today!
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.
Hello, I've been involved in
Hello, I've been involved in a few medical marijuana petitions in the past. I was hoping to receive some contact info so that I(and others) could circulate this petition in Florida. Information regarding any other medical marijuana petitions in other states would be very helpful as well. Thank You
want to petition
Hello, I've been involved in a few medical marijuana petitions in the past. I was hoping to receive some contact info so that I(and others) could circulate this petition in Florida. Information regarding any other medical marijuana petitions in other states would be very helpful as well. Thank You
Get their attention
How about this idea to get the information out and med. users in the news? We should all take our meds to Tallahassee and medicate ourselves on the capital steps. The shear number of people would choke the legal system if they did something stupid like arrest us......
DO IT NOW!
OK so I live everyday with the problem of getting nauseous after every meal. The only thing that I have found to help this problem is marijuana. I am under 18 and who said that just because someone is 17 they don't feel the same pain as someone that's 18? There should be no rules on the age required except for a parent consent under 18. I was living in Colorado where medical marijuana is legal and was about to get my license for it there, but then I had to move to Florida. My main point in legalize it, there is really no reason not to.
florida
IT TAKES A ((SMALL BRAIN)) TO REALIZE THAT PROHIBITION WORKS
My input on the matter
Hi everyone,
Concern on this matter of Medical marijuana,If I may I worked for the Medical Examiners Office here in Florida for over 10yrs without a mistake in my job then 1yr ago during an autopsy I cut my self with a scapule working on an Aids patient now i have HIV.
I'm in constant pain at night, my weight lose has went from 225 to 150 my doctor say's if i was in a state that I could have this my weight would come back up and pain would not be as bad and i would be able to cope with knowing this better.So I hope this really pass soon. I just thought others should know how some of us out here feel and having to cope with pain and suffering everyday.
Pass it,Govern it,and help prolong life.
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