Expanding Medical Marijuana
By: Capitol News
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Fears that a new constitutional amendment in 2016 legalizing medical marijuana is the first step in legal recreational pot, the same people who opposed Amendment 2 last fall are now behind legislative efforts to expand medical marijuana. But that support comes with some big catches.
883 thousand more people voted for medical marijuana than voted against it. While it narrowly missed being part of the constitution, lawmakers are taking notice..especially since a new petition drive is under way for 2016. This is what House Speaker Steve Cristifulli has this to say. “I’m not a big proponent of individuals going to the ballot, to work on issues like that, but, you know, I think we have a process that is set up here that allows us to liberate the issue.”
State Senator Jeff Brandes has already filed legislation similar to what voters said they wanted.
Lawmakers and opponents don’t want to fight another constitutional amendment battle because they don’t want medical marijuana in the Constitution.
Florida Sheriff’s, who were some of medical marijuana’s most vocal opponents voted 38-2 to oppose Brandes’s legislation, but at the same time they issued a position paper saying they would accept non smokable marijuana if access was limited to 9 diseases.
“Its a non starter if its anything but non smokeable” says political operative Barney Bishop.
“Its a non starter if its anything but non smokeable” says political operative Barney Bishop.
Barney Bishop coordinated the forces against Amendment 2, but since Christmas he has been negotiating between the two sides. He expects legislation to pass this year or next… Q:”And why non smokeable?” “Just because there isn’t any good health benefits from smoking anything. We do allow for vaping.”
Legislation allowing non smokeable medical marijuana is expected to be introduced in the House as early as this week.
Pro medical marijuana groups are holding a rally at the state capitol tomorrow.By: Capitol News
February 9, 2015
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Fears that a new constitutional amendment in 2016 legalizing medical marijuana is the first step in legal recreational pot, the same people who opposed Amendment 2 last fall are now behind legislative efforts to expand medical marijuana. But that support comes with some big catches.
883 thousand more people voted for medical marijuana than voted against it. While it narrowly missed being part of the constitution, lawmakers are taking notice..especially since a new petition drive is under way for 2016. This is what House Speaker Steve Cristifulli has this to say. “I’m not a big proponent of individuals going to the ballot, to work on issues like that, but, you know, I think we have a process that is set up here that allows us to liberate the issue.”
State Senator Jeff Brandes has already filed legislation similar to what voters said they wanted.
Lawmakers and opponents don’t want to fight another constitutional amendment battle because they don’t want medical marijuana in the Constitution.
Florida Sheriff’s, who were some of medical marijuana’s most vocal opponents voted 38-2 to oppose Brandes’s legislation, but at the same time they issued a position paper saying they would accept non smokable marijuana if access was limited to 9 diseases.
“Its a non starter if its anything but non smokeable” says political operative Barney Bishop.
“Its a non starter if its anything but non smokeable” says political operative Barney Bishop.
Barney Bishop coordinated the forces against Amendment 2, but since Christmas he has been negotiating between the two sides. He expects legislation to pass this year or next… Q:”And why non smokeable?” “Just because there isn’t any good health benefits from smoking anything. We do allow for vaping.”
Legislation allowing non smokeable medical marijuana is expected to be introduced in the House as early as this week.
Pro medical marijuana groups are holding a rally at the state capitol tomorrow.
