Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Q: When will medical marijuana be available in Florida, and who will be able to get it?
A: Now that we're a month removed from such a hotly contested presidential election, it's easy to forget that there's at least one thing the majority of Florida voters agreed upon: Medical marijuana makes sense.
With more than 71 percent of Florida voters on board with Amendment 2, that brings to 28 (plus the District of Columbia) the number of states offering marijuana as a means of medical treatment.
In Florida - where the amendment goes into effect Jan. 3, 2017 - to qualify for the use of medical marijuana, you must be diagnosed with what the Legislature deems a "debilitating medical condition." Specifically: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease); cancer; Crohn's disease; epilepsy; glaucoma; HIV/AIDS; multiple sclerosis; Parkinson's disease; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or "any other ailment/condition of the same severity/symptoms, when determined by a physician's opinion that the medical use of marijuana would surpass any potential health risks."
So when can we start having talks with our doctors about how medical marijuana might help alleviate some of our chronic pain, migraines, anxiety disorders, etc.?
"I think it's going to be at least nine months to a year before medical marijuana becomes widely available," said Dr. Ken Grey, a practitioner of holistic medicine in Jupiter.
That's because - surprise, surprise! -- there are still a great deal of bureaucratic details to be hashed through. State legislators still must write the specific rules about who is, and isn't, allowed to grow the plants, how and where dispensaries can be opened, licensing, and myriad other regulations.
And despite the "Vote No On 2" marketing campaign failing to sway voters, medical marijuana opponents plan to take the battle to Tallahassee, where they'll urge lawmakers to ban candy-like edibles, strictly limit potency and implement tight regulations on who legally can be prescribed it.
Currently, Florida has a 2-year-old "compassionate use" medical cannabis program in place that allows a limited number of cancer and AIDS patients to use a form of the drug that contains a low amount of THC - the substance that produces a mood-altering high. The drug is delivered to patients via a topical oil.
And while THC is the most prevalent substance in most strains of cannabis, it's not the only one.
In recent years, a non-mood-altering compound in cannabis called CBD has curried favor with researchers. Studies show that CBD-heavy forms of cannabis are effective at relieving pain, inflammation and anxiety without having any psychoactive effects.
In other words, CBD-dominant strains of cannabis won't get you high.
The working theory is that when there is a higher level of CBD in cannabis, the compound dampens THC's effects on the neurotransmitters that alter mood.
"CBD-heavy cannabis is a viable alternative to opioids for pain relief - as long as it's used responsibly," said Grey.
Once the Legislature works out all the legal details, the Florida Department of Health will oversee the program's widespread introduction.
And that has left some cannabis proponents dubious.
Attorney Gerry Greenspoon, a medical cannabis advocate, told NBC-6 in West Palm Beach that, based on the Florida Department of Health's Office of Compassionate Use website, he and others believe the Health Department is not committed to implementing a widespread program. Rather, it's looking only to minimally expand the already-existing cannabis program.
"To say we are skeptical is an understatement," Greenspoon said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Q&A - When Do The Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Open?
Author: Staff
Contact: (863) 401-6900
Photo Credit: Dario Ayala
Website: News Chief
A: Now that we're a month removed from such a hotly contested presidential election, it's easy to forget that there's at least one thing the majority of Florida voters agreed upon: Medical marijuana makes sense.
With more than 71 percent of Florida voters on board with Amendment 2, that brings to 28 (plus the District of Columbia) the number of states offering marijuana as a means of medical treatment.
In Florida - where the amendment goes into effect Jan. 3, 2017 - to qualify for the use of medical marijuana, you must be diagnosed with what the Legislature deems a "debilitating medical condition." Specifically: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease); cancer; Crohn's disease; epilepsy; glaucoma; HIV/AIDS; multiple sclerosis; Parkinson's disease; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or "any other ailment/condition of the same severity/symptoms, when determined by a physician's opinion that the medical use of marijuana would surpass any potential health risks."
So when can we start having talks with our doctors about how medical marijuana might help alleviate some of our chronic pain, migraines, anxiety disorders, etc.?
"I think it's going to be at least nine months to a year before medical marijuana becomes widely available," said Dr. Ken Grey, a practitioner of holistic medicine in Jupiter.
That's because - surprise, surprise! -- there are still a great deal of bureaucratic details to be hashed through. State legislators still must write the specific rules about who is, and isn't, allowed to grow the plants, how and where dispensaries can be opened, licensing, and myriad other regulations.
And despite the "Vote No On 2" marketing campaign failing to sway voters, medical marijuana opponents plan to take the battle to Tallahassee, where they'll urge lawmakers to ban candy-like edibles, strictly limit potency and implement tight regulations on who legally can be prescribed it.
Currently, Florida has a 2-year-old "compassionate use" medical cannabis program in place that allows a limited number of cancer and AIDS patients to use a form of the drug that contains a low amount of THC - the substance that produces a mood-altering high. The drug is delivered to patients via a topical oil.
And while THC is the most prevalent substance in most strains of cannabis, it's not the only one.
In recent years, a non-mood-altering compound in cannabis called CBD has curried favor with researchers. Studies show that CBD-heavy forms of cannabis are effective at relieving pain, inflammation and anxiety without having any psychoactive effects.
In other words, CBD-dominant strains of cannabis won't get you high.
The working theory is that when there is a higher level of CBD in cannabis, the compound dampens THC's effects on the neurotransmitters that alter mood.
"CBD-heavy cannabis is a viable alternative to opioids for pain relief - as long as it's used responsibly," said Grey.
Once the Legislature works out all the legal details, the Florida Department of Health will oversee the program's widespread introduction.
And that has left some cannabis proponents dubious.
Attorney Gerry Greenspoon, a medical cannabis advocate, told NBC-6 in West Palm Beach that, based on the Florida Department of Health's Office of Compassionate Use website, he and others believe the Health Department is not committed to implementing a widespread program. Rather, it's looking only to minimally expand the already-existing cannabis program.
"To say we are skeptical is an understatement," Greenspoon said.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Q&A - When Do The Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Open?
Author: Staff
Contact: (863) 401-6900
Photo Credit: Dario Ayala
Website: News Chief