New medical marijuana bill revives hope for sick Floridians

Disappointed by the failure of last years medical marijuana amendment?

Well, it looks like were getting another and more secure chance, thanks to legislation filed Monday that would legalize medical marijuana for patients with certain conditions.

Last November we saw voters approval of medical marijuana in Florida; 57 percent voted in favor of the amendment. But thanks to another amendment to the state constitution approved in 2006, amendments must garner 60 percent of the vote in order to pass. As would only happen in Florida, that amendment passed with a yes from 57 percent of voters. Ironically, that particular majority rubber stamped an amendment ensuring any subsequent majorities of that size would be invalid.

Which is why, with a clear electoral majority, we are still without medical marijuana in Florida.

While we cant rectify our re-election of a man who was able to slither his way out of the largest fraud settlement in history only by invoking the Fifth Amendment 75 times we may have another shot at legal medical marijuana.

Our great green hope, in this case, comes in the form of St. Petersburg Sen. Jeff Brandes.

Interestingly, Brandes belongs to the Republican Party the party that so enthusiastically venerates Ronald Reagan, whose crusade against weed still earns him the ire of activists and stoners everywhere.

Maybe its because the times are changing; maybe its because of the broad support medical marijuana has in Florida. Maybe people saw the 23 states that allow medical marijuana havent yet descended into hellfire and ruin. Or perhaps it has something to do with cannabis proven ability to help the sick.

In fact, there already is a law on the books in Florida which recognizes this fact. Last year, a specific strain of marijuana, Charlottes Web, was legalized to treat seizures. The strain is famous in medical marijuana circles. Web has a potent amount of CBD, one of the two compounds in marijuana, but lacks THC. CBD produces calming, antipsychotic effects while THC is associated with the high. Charlottes Web actually used to be called Hippies Disappointment, before it was successfully used to treat a severely epileptic girl named Charlotte.

Unfortunately, this law hasnt cut the mustard. Its been so tied down by bureaucracy and challenges that the people who need Charlottes Web still arent able to get it. Brandes bill would cut through the obstacles, and provide marijuana to patients with other diseases.

Originally posted here:
New medical marijuana bill revives hope for sick Floridians