Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
The push for a full-fledged medical marijuana system has picked up an important ally.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told the Tampa Bay Times Tuesday that he supports a bill introduced by state Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would allow a variety of patients to use a number of different marijuana strains.
Gualtieri vigorously opposed last year's proposed constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana. But he said the Brandes bill is "narrowly tailored,'' gives local authorities control over dispensaries and addresses many of his other concerns about the amendment.
The bill lists specific qualifying conditions and symptoms, where the amendment made a general statement about "debilitating conditions,'' Gualtieri noted. The bill requires the approval of two physicians before a minor can qualify to use marijuana. County commissions could refuse to allow dispensaries within their jurisdictions.
The amendment, sponsored by attorney John Morgan's United for Care group, garnered 58 percent of the vote last November – just shy of the 60 percent required for passage. United for Care has tweaked the ballot language and launched a new amendment campaign for the 2016 election. Many political observers believe it will pass, if it gets on the ballot, because presidential races typically bring out younger and more Democratic-leaning voters.
The Legislature should act first to avoid enshrining medical marijuana in the Constitution, Gualtieri said.
"There are a significant number of people who want this and there is a need for it for medical purposes,'' he said. "This should be legislatively driven. We should not be talking about this in 2016.''
Gualtieri chairs the Florida Sheriff's Association legislative lobbying committee, but emphasized that he was speaking for himself, not the association. The group will take up medical marijuana at its winter meeting next week, he said, and try to forge a lobbying position.
Gualtieri said he would like to see the Brandes bill amended so patients could use only vaporizers, tinctures or topical oils, rather than smoking marijuana.
"People who want to use it for recreational purposes aren't sitting there on a Saturday night and saying "Let's get out oil and rub it on our arms,'' he said. "Smoking is a social thing.''
Last year, the Legislature legalized "Charlotte's Web,'' a non-euphoric, low THC strain of pot thought to help children with severe epilepsy. The Brandes bill would not restrict THC levels, which are important for treating pain, nausea and other conditions.
If the Brandes bill or similar legislation passes this session, United for Care will drop its new constitutional amendment campaign, executive director Ben Pollara said Tuesday.
"Our goal is not winning elections, it is passing a medical marijuana law," Pollara said. "I don't think this law is perfect, but it is real comprehensive.''
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Pinellas sheriff backs medical marijuana legislation | Tampa Bay Times
Author: Stephen Nohlgren
Contact: nohlgren@tampabay.com
Photo Credit: LEAP | Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
Website: Tampa Bay, Florida news | Tampa Bay Times/St. Pete Times
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told the Tampa Bay Times Tuesday that he supports a bill introduced by state Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would allow a variety of patients to use a number of different marijuana strains.
Gualtieri vigorously opposed last year's proposed constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana. But he said the Brandes bill is "narrowly tailored,'' gives local authorities control over dispensaries and addresses many of his other concerns about the amendment.
The bill lists specific qualifying conditions and symptoms, where the amendment made a general statement about "debilitating conditions,'' Gualtieri noted. The bill requires the approval of two physicians before a minor can qualify to use marijuana. County commissions could refuse to allow dispensaries within their jurisdictions.
The amendment, sponsored by attorney John Morgan's United for Care group, garnered 58 percent of the vote last November – just shy of the 60 percent required for passage. United for Care has tweaked the ballot language and launched a new amendment campaign for the 2016 election. Many political observers believe it will pass, if it gets on the ballot, because presidential races typically bring out younger and more Democratic-leaning voters.
The Legislature should act first to avoid enshrining medical marijuana in the Constitution, Gualtieri said.
"There are a significant number of people who want this and there is a need for it for medical purposes,'' he said. "This should be legislatively driven. We should not be talking about this in 2016.''
Gualtieri chairs the Florida Sheriff's Association legislative lobbying committee, but emphasized that he was speaking for himself, not the association. The group will take up medical marijuana at its winter meeting next week, he said, and try to forge a lobbying position.
Gualtieri said he would like to see the Brandes bill amended so patients could use only vaporizers, tinctures or topical oils, rather than smoking marijuana.
"People who want to use it for recreational purposes aren't sitting there on a Saturday night and saying "Let's get out oil and rub it on our arms,'' he said. "Smoking is a social thing.''
Last year, the Legislature legalized "Charlotte's Web,'' a non-euphoric, low THC strain of pot thought to help children with severe epilepsy. The Brandes bill would not restrict THC levels, which are important for treating pain, nausea and other conditions.
If the Brandes bill or similar legislation passes this session, United for Care will drop its new constitutional amendment campaign, executive director Ben Pollara said Tuesday.
"Our goal is not winning elections, it is passing a medical marijuana law," Pollara said. "I don't think this law is perfect, but it is real comprehensive.''
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Pinellas sheriff backs medical marijuana legislation | Tampa Bay Times
Author: Stephen Nohlgren
Contact: nohlgren@tampabay.com
Photo Credit: LEAP | Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
Website: Tampa Bay, Florida news | Tampa Bay Times/St. Pete Times
