Graphic On Drug Dependency of U.S. Veterans

This graphic was posted by Human Rights Watch.

SICU Endorses Amendment 2

The Service Employees International Union of Florida has endorsed Amendment 2. If approved the amendment would make prescribed medical marijuana legal in Florida.

“Amendment 2 is about compassion for patients suffering from debilitating conditions, and that is something our members are proud to stand behind,” said Baker. “Seriously ill patients should not have to expose themselves to prosecution for seeking to obtain the medicine they need to relieve their symptoms, and no physician should have to put their freedom or their license at risk for recommending the use of that medicine.”

Denise Glass, RN, a nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami with a career spanning 23 years, also believes the decision to endorse Amendment 2 represents a major step forward for patients’ rights in Florida.

“Expanding the medical options available to patients will positively affect their lives,” said Glass. “Too many people are suffering needlessly because they don’t have legal access to a substance that can alleviate their severe symptoms and offer them a better quality of life. Voting “yes” on Amendment 2 is the right thing to do.”

A recent poll by Cherry Communications found that 58 percent of respondents supported the legalization of medical marijuana.

Public Policy Polling found 66 percent support for Amendment 2. 60 percent of the vote is needed for the amendment to become law.

Grady Judd Misinforms Floridians on Amendment 2

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has made a career of going after the porn industry. Judd has spent his career using his office to be a conservative culture warrior. It is no surprise that that Judd told WFSU that he is against Amendment 2.

“Amendment Two is about legalization of marijuana,” Judd says. “This is not about the medical use of marijuana, it’s about legalization of marijuana. And this amendment is in fact is a wolf in sheeps’ clothing.”

Wrong. There is nothing in the language of Amendment that would make the sale of recreational marijuana legal. The ballot language of Amendment 2.

Allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not authorize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.

Attorney John Morgan has been the major backer of Amendment 2. At a debate, Morgan pointed out the lack of logic in the fear mongering of medical marijuana.

“The word slippery slope is a scare tactic," Morgan said. "If we were about slippery slopes and kids getting their hands on them, we’d have to outlaw booze, guns and cars."

You can bet Judd isn't about to advocate for guns to be illegal.

I have no doubt that there are people who back Amendment that whom would love to see recreational marijuana legal in Florida. However, that is not the purpose of Amendment 2. Oxycontin is highly addictive and has had overdose deaths. A report from the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition found more people have died from prescribed opioids than from heroin or cocaine.

The McGill team reviewed existing research, and found that the spike in opioid-related deaths cannot be attributed to one single cause. In fact, there are at least 17 different contributing factors, they say, in particular the increase in prescriptions and sales of opioids, the increased use of strong, long-lasting drugs such as OxyContin and methadone, and the mixing of opioids with other drugs or alcohol.

The team found “little evidence” that online drug sales, or errors by patients or doctors, are significant contributors to the spike in opioid deaths.

Researchers must develop strategies to bring down overdose death rates, not just in North America, the study notes, but for future use as prescription medications become more prevalent in developing countries.

The amount of overdoses from medical marijuana is zero.

Rick Scott Signs Charlotte’s Web Bill

Gov. Rick Scott really wants to get re-elected. Scott had previously been against medical marijuana. Polls have shown Floridians overwhelmingly supporting medical marijuana. Smart GOP consultants like Rick Wilson saw how the Right was losing this fight. Wilson made these remarks to the Orlando Sentinel.

“Society is changing. Republicans can let some steam out of this and take the issue away from Charlie Crist and John Morgan by proving they have a heart and are responsive to people,” GOP consultant Rick Wilson said.

“This is a no-brainer for people with a political head and compassionate heart.”

Wilson said the wing of the party still resistant to marijuana-legalization issues – evangelicals and “tough on crime” conservatives who have been anti-drug for 25 years – have largely won the fight over abortion (with public opinion shifting in their favor), lost the fight over gay marriage, and are making drug legalization “the hill they die on.”

“I do not think that’s an effective position to be in,” he said.

Wilson sent me this message on Twitter.

Q: Need an on-the-record quote on why you think GOP should drop opposition to medical marijuana. DM me.

Wilson: Because society has moved past reefer madness, witnessed the failure of the war on drugs, and the pro-freedom position is to move on.

Scott is usually politically tone deaf. However, someone must have pointed out to him that attorney John Morgan will use Amendment 2 to help bring out the vote for Charlie Crist. Morgan is a longtime Crist supporter and the main financial backer of United For Care. UFC is the main group responsible for placing Amendment 2 on the November ballot.

Ballot language for Amendment 2.

The official ballot text reads as follows:

"Allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not authorize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana."

In order to take some momentum away from Amendment 2, Scott signed 1030. Low levels of THC medical marijuana will be allowed for patients. The patients must have medical needs that qualify for the compassionate use registry. A related bill Scott signed, SB 1700, would keep the names of the patients on the compassionate use registry confidential. The exceptions would be law enforcement investigations, department regulating and doctors filling out a prescription.

Scott statement on signing SB 1030.

“The approval of Charlotte’s Web will ensure that children in Florida who suffer from seizures and other debilitating illnesses will have the medication needed to improve their quality of life,” Scott said in a news release.

It's all about the kids for Rick Scott. It has nothing to do with the possibility that Amendment 2 might help get out the vote for Crist. Except that back in January, Scott said he would not support a state constitutional amendment to make medical marijuana legal.

"I have a great deal of empathy for people battling difficult diseases and I understand arguments in favor of this initiative," he said in a statement provided to CNN by a spokesman. "But, having seen the terrible affects (sic) of alcohol and drug abuse first-hand, I cannot endorse sending Florida down this path and I would personally vote against it."

It is not the children for Rick Scott. It is about Amendment 2.

Quote of the Day

"Felt like I had ejaculated. The cocaine was a powerful stimulant that went straight to my penis. I could see what this young woman was talking about."

Marion Barry

The Mayor is sharing way too much information with the public.

Sen Don Gaetz Backs Medical Marijuana Bill

Florida Senate President Don Gaetz has announced that he will support medical marijuana. This means medical marijuana will get a vote in the Senate.

“As a father myself, I am unwilling to require these parents to be criminals in order to get treatment for their children,” he said. “As the father of Rep. Matt Gaetz, I am proud of my son for his political courage in fighting for these families as they fight for their children’s lives.”

Gaetz's son, Rep. Matt Gaetz, is the sponsor of House Bill 843. The text of the bill.

An act relating to cannabis; amending s. 893.02, F.S.; revising the definition of the term "cannabis" for purposes of the Florida Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act and applicable to certain criminal offenses proscribing the sale, manufacture, delivery, possession, or purchase of cannabis, to which penalties apply; providing an effective date.

Translation: marijuana prescribed for medical purposes will no longer be a criminal offense under the bill.

There are problems facing HB 843. House Speaker has given no indication that he would support the bill. Gov. Rick Scott would most likely veto the bill. Scott and Weatherford were both against the ballot initiative making medical marijuana legal. Sen. Don Gaetz was against the ballot initiative. His support of his son's bill is a big step in making medical marijuana legal. The ballot initiative is still the most likely way to make medical marijuana legal. The ballot language.

Allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not authorize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.

Quote of the Day: Dubious Rubio Edition

"You know why I never answer that question? If I tell you that I haven’t, you won’t believe me. And if I tell you that I did, then kids will look up to me and say ‘Well I can smoke marijuana because look how he did. He did alright so I guess I can do it, too.’ And the bottom line is, it is a substance that alters your mind. Now when I was 17 and 18, 16, I made dumb decisions as is. I didn’t need the help of marijuana or alcohol to further that."

Sen. Marco Rubio, dodging questions by the National Journal on if he ever smoked marijuana.

That is the kind of straight talk (or lack of) that makes me love writing about Dubious Rubio.

Update: Miami Herald political reporter Marc Caputo isn't buying Rubio's rambling answer.

Medical Marijuana Has Momentum in Florida

A Tampa Bay Business Journal survey found that 72 percent of respondents will vote in favor of legalizing medical marijuana. The survey is not the same as a poll and the Tampa Bay Business Journal makes that clear. The survey was done online. It should be noted that the TBBJ readership can hardly be described as bleeding heart liberals.

A Quinnipiac University poll, from November, found that 82 percent support medical marijuana. Unless Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida legislature find a way to stop the ballot amendment we are going to see medical marijuana become legal in Florida.

Medical marijuana will be on the ballot. Here is the ballot language and summary.

This proposed amendment is designed to create a new Article I, Section 28 (“Right to Marijuana for Treatment Purposes”) of the Florida constitution so as to permit the cultivation, purchase, possession and use of marijuana to treat 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.

Ballot language:

“SECTION 28. Right to Marijuana for Treatment Purposes. –

“(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.”

Shocking News: Rick Scott Against Medical Marijuana

Gov. Rick Scott said he would vote against medical marijuana. The article doesn't state but I'm assuming Scott is referring to his vote on the Florida cabinet.

"I have a great deal of empathy for people battling difficult diseases and I understand arguments in favor of this initiative. But, having seen the terrible effects of alcohol and drug abuse first-hand, I cannot endorse sending Florida down this path and I would personally vote against it," Scott said through a spokeswoman. "No matter my personal beliefs, however, a ballot initiative would be up to the voters to decide."

United for Care, the group backed by attorney John Morgan, has not yet attained the signatures needed to place medical marijuana on the ballot. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has made it clear she will use her office to fight to keep medical marijuana off the next ballot. Morgan hinted there might be another reason why Republicans want to keep medical marijuana off the ballot. Voter turnout.

“The Republican party in the state of Florida is petrified about this amendment because they know that 77 percent of Florida wants it,” Morgan said. In early October, the Public Policy Polling found that 62 percent of voters supported the legalization of medical marijuana for seriously patients in Florida. Support "gets stronger every day," he said.

Could medical marijuana help Morgan's friend Charlie Crist get elected? That is an interesting question

Rubio On the Fence on Medical Marijuana

Sen. Marco Rubio is deciding which way he should flip and flop on the issue of medicinal marijuana.

“You hear compelling stories of people who say the use of medicinal marijuana provides relief for the thing they are suffering. So I'd like to learn more about that aspect of it, the science of it,” Rubio said in an interview Thursday, asked about the Florida ballot initiative.

“I have qualms about that proposal, I really do, but I probably need to learn more about it,” he said. “The broader issue of whether we should be legalizing it is something I'm pretty firm about. I don’t think legalizing marijuana or even decriminalizing it is the right decision for our country."

A CNN/Opinion Research poll found that 55 percent think marijuana should be legal. A Pew Research poll found that 52 percent think marijuana should be legal. The days of marijuana being illegal are numbered.

Shocking News: Florida GOP Want Trey Radel To Resign

The Florida Republican establishment want Rep. Trey Radel to resign and fast. I can't say I blame them. Radel was charged with possession of cocaine. Now several Republicans are asking Radel to step down from Congress.

Lee County's Republican executive committee

"these actions have violated the trust of those whom he was elected to represent and fall short of the standards for an elected official; especially a member of the United States Congress," Lee County's Republican executive committee said in a statement that resembled one approved by Collierr County's GOP.

Lenny Curry, the Republican Party of Florida Chairman Lenny Curry

"The people of Florida’s 19th Congressional District need a Congressman who is 100 percent focused on the needs of Southwest Florida," Curry said in a statement. "Therefore, Congressman Radel should step down and focus his attention on rehabilitation and his family.”

According to Marc Caputo it would be in the best interest of both Lizbeth Benacquisto and former U.S. Rep. Connie Mack if Radel steeped down. Both are thinking about running for Radel's seat.

Write A Caption: Rick Scott Edition

Gov. Rick Scott appears in a Facebook photo with Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel shares the same misfortunes as Scott. Ford has been forced to admit that he smoked crack. Ford has no plans on resigning. I'm fairly certain Scott and Emmanuel have no plans of ever doing a photo-op wuth Ford again.

Oh Snap!

Arianna Huffington takes President Barack Obama to task for the hypocrisy of his anti-drug policies.

Obama: Trayvon "could have been me." True, and so could many still behind bars for drug possession.

It is no secret that Obama experimented with drugs during his college days. Obama has even admitted this.That is why people were so angry for Obama allowing the Justice Department to go after medical marijuana facilities.

An analysisfrom pro-medical marijuana group Americans For Safe Access found that President Barack Obama's administration has spent nearly $300 million on combatting medical marijuana instates that have legalized the drug.

Your tax dollars at work.

Cat Fight Between John Morgan & Adam Putnam

We have a cat fight between attorney John Morgan and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. The fur started flying after Morgan started a statewide campaign to legalize medical marijuana in Florida. Putnam's press office has promoted the fact that 37,000 marijuana plants have been confiscated by the state. Morgan has taken exception.

Morgan was asked what parts of Florida's government he would cut.

That’s not the case for John Morgan. The Florida attorney and Democratic rainmaker said if it were up to him, he’d know exactly where he would cut.

“Republicans always say they want to cut government, well I have a few ideas,” he said. “Let’s get rid of the lieutenant governor’s office and the Department of Agriculture.”

It was part of larger slam on Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. Morgan is spearheading a ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana, while Putnam has publically cracked down on marijuana.

In March, Putnam’s office touted the fact it destroyed 37,000 marijuana plants and made 700 arrests through Florida's Domestic Marijuana Eradication Program.

“It's like, hey buddy, get a damn life," Morgan said. "Go do something that matters."

Snap!

Putnam's office hissed back.

“The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is responsible for supporting Florida's $100 billion agriculture industry, ensuring a safe and abundant supply of food and safeguarding Florida's 19 million residents from unfair or deceptive business practices,” Amanda Bevis, a department spokeswoman, said in a statement.

I notice that Putnam's office isn't promoting 1,000,000 concealed weapons permits or his bromance with with accused child molester Chris Simcox, Minutemen, co-founder. Embarrassments like this happen when a politician panders too often to the wingnut crowd.

The Bong Bill

This is how bad the Florida legislature has become. Rep. Darryl Rouson’s "bong bill" has finally made it into law.

Rep. Darryl Rouson’s “bong bill” was widely ridiculed, since its inception in 2010 as a sales tax on drug paraphernalia, and the concept has been tied up in court challenges by retailers who sell various pipes and other smoking devices. But Rouson, a recovered drug addict who has marked 15 years of sobriety, argued that the pseudo-smoke shops congregate in college towns and openly market their wares to young people.

The St. Petersburg Democrat's bill (HB 49) makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly sell paraphernalia generally associated with drug use. Repeat offenses are felonies.

I respect Rouson's feelings as a recovering addict. However, police resources should be used for other things besides raiding smoke shops.

Very Interesting Facebook Ad

I saw that Facebook is running an ad for World Cannabis Week on the newsfeed. Needless to say, I was somewhat surprised. I knew that recreational cannabis is now legal in Washington and Colorado. I just wasn't expecting vacation tours. Capitalism at its finest.

More information

Questions about attending World Cannabis Week? Call us, 1(855) MY-420-TOUR, we would love to talk with you! Double occupancy hotel rooms filling fast.

I personally can't stand weed. I do find it amazing that we live in a time where cannibis tours are advertised on Facebook.

Tim Kaine is Right

I'm not much of a Tim Kaine fan. Having said that, I am glad he supports getting rid of the stupid law that doesn't allow Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices. The whole point of Medicare is to have the leverage and the size to negotiate for lower health care costs. Wal-Mart uses their stranglehold on the consumer marketplace to get pharmaceutical companies to sell drugs at lower cost.

Cracking Up

A handy guide to street terms relating to crack cocaine. I used to live in Suitcase City. So I know the terminology well.

How Rick Scott's Drug Test Policy Will Work

Nothing says less government better than mandotory drug tests that have been ruled unconstitutional. The ACLU will beat Scott's executive order in court. Bank on it.

“I’m not sure why Governor Scott does not know that the policy he recreated by Executive Order today has already been declared unconstitutional.

“The state of Florida cannot force people to surrender their constitutional rights in order to work for the state. Absent any evidence of illegal drug use, or assigned a safety-sensitive job, people have a right to be left alone.

“Coming from a Governor who promised to protect our freedoms by limiting the intrusive reach of government into our personal lives, this massive expansion of government power at the expense of basic rights is stunning and exposes the state to serious future legal liability.

“Since we have already succeeded once in overturning this unconstitutional expansion of government power, the ACLU of Florida is willing to represent any state employee or association of state employees who will have their rights infringed upon if the announced policy takes effect.“

The taxpayers look forward to paying for Scott's pointless legal fight. Scott should brush up on the Fourth amendment.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

The courts have ruled there must be probable cause to drug test state workers. Scott can not just assume that all state workers are druggies and demand testing.

How Florida GOP No Friend of Small Businesses

Gov. Rick Scott should love HB 7095. Florida House Rep. Robert Schenck gave the big chain pharmacies a big boost.

Rep. Robert Schenck, sponsor of the bill (HB 7095), offered an amendment that would limit dispensation of narcotics to pharmacies that are publicly traded, have more than $100 million of taxable assets in Florida or have been in operation continuously for at least a decade.

This is proof that Republican Party talk of supporting small businesses is nonsense. Mom & Pop pharmacies will be put out of business by Schenck's legislation. Which is exactly the point. From 2003 to 2010, CVS spent more money in Florida than any other state. CVS will have a monopoly of the retail drug business was HB 7095 has a companion bill in the Senate and is signed by Scott.

Retail pharmacy store owners realize this. Owners gathered at the Embassy Suites Hotel to plot strategy.

"We feel this is job-killing legislation," said Leke Alli, owner of Bearss Pharmacy in Tampa and one of the organizers of Sunday's event. "They're trying to taint independent pharmacies with pill mills. We believe that pharmacies should be well-regulated, but not to our detriment."

Mr. Alli will lose his job and business. Under the regulation proposed by Schenck; Alli must have $100 million of taxable assets. No small business has those kind of assets. Republicans are looking for an excuse to increase the business of CVS, at the expense of small businesses.