Florida voters will soon decide whether medical marijuana should be a legal option for treatment. If approved, the state could become the first southeastern state to approve medicinal marijuana on Nov. 4.
Under the proposed second amendment, there are nine specific medical conditions that will claim medical marijuana as a form of treatment, including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. The counter argument is medical legalization could lead to a loophole because physicians will also be able to prescribe marijuana for patients if they determine it could help those claiming to have minor ailments such as muscle spasms, neck pain, back pain and those with menstrual cramps. In Florida, 58 percent of viewers supported the use of medical marijuana, according to a statewide poll done by Fox13.
Vanessa Guzman, a freshman nursing major, has read several stories about the positive effects of marijuana including helping increasing the appetites of sick patients.
“I think for certain things [marijuana] is fine but I think recreational marijuana and medical marijuana are two different extremes,” Guzman said.
The Florida Cannabis Coalition issued a statement that “Legal medical Cannabis in Florida means opportunity. Jobs will be created. New businesses will be born.” The group is also working toward assisting start up medical marijuana businesses by providing those who are interested with information on networking, licensing, marketing strategies, accounting, legality and brand building. The organization has already held events at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, FL and at The Cuban Club in Tampa. At the events viewers paid $249, to hear from cannabis business owners, medicinal weed activists, and patients. Those attending the event were allowed pitch their business plan and then the best pitchers were connected with investors.
Lee Hoke, a professor of economics at UT for 29 years, has taught labor economics, microeconomics and managerial economics.
“I don’t see this as critical to the Florida economy one way or another because it’s already in the economy now, it’s just underground. I don’t see it having an impact on employment, or incomes, or wages,” Hoke said.
Another huge issue to consider is the amount of prisoners serving jail time for distribution and possession. A first degree misdemeanor, or possession of less than 20 grams, results in a one year sentence and up to $1,000 in fines, according to Florida drug possession laws. For purchasing, or possessing more than 20 grams offenders can face five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. If an offender is found with 25 plants or more, they are forced to serve 15 years in jail and pay $10,000.
“We are not going to win a war on drugs,” Hoke said. “You will never hear the president of the United States or the governor of the state of Florida say ‘we have won the war on drugs.’ So to fight a war knowing you’re never going to win is close to the definition of insanity.”
There are more than 214,365 inmates in federal prison, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In 2013 the BOP found that 28,106 inmates were arrested for primary marijuana offenses.
“We have way too many people in prison [for] engaging in activities which could be legalized,” Hoke said. “How many people wouldn’t have a record; it’s all just tragic.”
Colorado and Washington are the two states that allow both recreational use and medical use. In addition, there are 21 states that allow only medical use.
“Prohibition [in response] to the war and raising the drinking age to 21 didn’t work, so I don’t know what we are doing,” Hoke said. “There is a misunderstanding of what we wish the world was like and what the world is really like. We just need to create rules that align the interests of the people.”
Although the amendment does not discuss the sale of medical marijuana to minors, the regulation will probably mimic states that require parental consent according to Tampa Bay’s article “Florida’s medical marijuana proposal: Five things to know about Amendment 2”.
If passed, the amendment will become effective on Jan. 6, 2015. Within six months, Florida’s Department of Health will be required to carry out its rules and regulations for growing and selling.
Licensed growers and cannabis selling centers will be called “Medical Treatment Centers.” Those wishing to sell or grow will not be able to do so without a license. The organization will also be given nine months to issue marijuana cards.
“I think it will drive the price of marijuana down,” Hoke said. “I think it will deprive criminals of a lot of income. I think it would allow us to spend our state resources on other things other than arresting people for selling or using marijuana.”
Theresa Stanton can be reached at theresa.stanton@spartans.ut.edu