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Floridians start to wise up and want to join the medical states

P

Payaso

Original Editor of ICMagazine
Veteran
In this opinion piece from conservative Florida's Polk County, the writer seems to have woken up from a coma and finally realized what's going on in the real world. It's time for Florida to stop talking and do something about legalizing medical cannabis for its millions of sick and older patients.

If there were a way for Florida to save tens of millions of dollars annually, would you want to know about it? If more than a dozen other states were already enjoying these cost savings and a more than a dozen more were exploring ways to join them, would you want to know what Florida is doing?

If Florida, in fact, were doing the exact opposite of more than half the states in the country, would you want to know why?

We’re guessing you answered yes to all of the above questions, but we admit they were framed in a way that it would be hard to say no.

If you knew the questions involved marijuana laws, we suspect your answers might change. That’s understandable. Marijuana is illegal.

Many believe it is a dangerous “gateway” drug that leads its users to use even more dangerous drugs and to commit crimes to support their drug use.

We’re not convinced past policy toward marijuana use has been effective. Florida and its counties are spending far too much money enforcing existing laws and incarcerating offenders.

At a time when state and county resources are scarce, Florida should join other states in exploring its marijuana laws.

Decades of marijuana law reform across the country and stacks of studies examining the impact of those reforms provide ample evidence on which a reasoned, rational policy could be crafted.

Almost all the studies show relaxing marijuana laws does not lead to increased use among any age group, a common red herring argument against decriminalization.

Since 1996, 14 states have made marijuana legal for medical purposes.

Fourteen other states are looking at changing their marijuana laws. Those changes range from allowing medical marijuana to decriminalization to “deprioritizing” marijuana enforcement.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that several states are considering measures that would both legalize and tax marijuana.

In Florida, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $1,000 and up to one year in prison, although first-time offenders rarely serve jail time and most cases are diverted to drug courts.

Still, one of five inmates in Florida prisons are serving sentences for drug offenses. The number of inmates in Florida prisons rose 22.4 percent over the last five years from 84,901 in June 2005 to 103,915 in January 2009, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. The cost of building and operating those prisons surpassed $2.4 billion in 2008-09, a 26-percent increase since 2004-05.

A study presented to the Rhode Island Legislature last month found the nation’s smallest state would save $12.7 million a year by decriminalizing marijuana possession. Rhode Island, which already legalized medical marijuana, had a total prison population as of Jan. 1, 2010 of 3,674, more than 100,000 fewer than Florida.

The opportunity for substantial recurring savings is obvious.

A Florida group called People United for Medical Marijuana has launched a constitutional amendment petition drive that would put the question of legalizing medical marijuana on the ballot. It fell far short of the number of signatures needed to qualify for the Nov. 2010 ballot, but it’s a good way to start the conversation.

At a time when Florida is embracing casinos and expanded gambling at racetracks, it makes sense for the state to review its marijuana laws.
Click to expand...

Read more here.
 
S

SeniorBuzz

Member
long-term, in an undetermined period of time,

the rules for obtaining a medical marijuana license

are likely to change

no more ouchies, or owwees

an applicant will have a justified need

for a doctor's prescription

all others can buy taxed mj

the price will be low due to large supply

and the quality high B+

such, that few, other than devoted growers,

organized, as collectives,

will grow their own

highest quality connoisseur premium priced AA++

and sell it for $100/oz, or less

best refine, and organize, the collectives ASAP

to grow "The Best In The West"

while earning a comfortable living by doing so
 
G

Guest 88950

nice find. i hope things change but there is alot of ignorance in Polk County and Fla so im not holding my breath.

but im growing my own meds so fck leo.
 
S

Sunbeam

New member
have hope every one. if FLORIDA is jumping no the band wagon then we should ALL support them 100%. Its a BIG move for floridians to be trying to change things in the WORST marijuana state. this is a huge plus and Im very happy things might change for florida eventually. I am also very proud that people are organizing in florida to change. We need change from coast to coast across the USA to make national change not just a handfull of states.
 
Kush Farmer

Kush Farmer

Member
I hate for my first post on a new (to me) forum to be negative but this one gets me. I am very familiar with Florida. You have to keep in mind that Florida is quickly becoming "the last bastion" for republicans. Combined with the large retirement population and the fact that it is centrally located in "The Bible Belt." It is doubtful Florida is going to lead the southern states into the medical legalization realm. They did just REDUCE the number of plants it takes to be a felony charge for cultivating from 99 to 25.
 
Strainhunter

Strainhunter

Tropical Outcast
Veteran
Kush Farmer said:
.....

They did just REDUCE the number of plants it takes to be a felony charge for cultivating from 99 to 25.
Click to expand...


That was from 300 (not 99) down to 25.

One of the main reasons IMHO why things in Florida are slow regarding MMJ...unlike PUFFM the Pharmaceutical Industry has a strong lobby and especially lots of $'s...and if MMJ would roll in to place...the P.I. would lose a great portion of their pill popping customers, hence their profits.

What is Medical Marijuana in Cali...are Doctors prescribing pills in Florida.

We all know which of the two is better for the sick but that's how it goes.

.
 
Kush Farmer

Kush Farmer

Member
I love how glass shops are getting shut down left and right yet porn shops are growing in numbers. In a lot of places in Florida the only way to get away with selling pipes is in a porn shop. They are easy to find too. Every other billboard on 95 is for a porn shop or full nude truck stop with showers.
 
N

NIRVANA86

New member
I must say Florida is getting pretty strict on marijuana. the cops are quick to search anyone they pull over where I live. now this banning bong sales bill? wtf?!?! They just started to put up glass cases with all kinds of pipes and such in all the local gas stations lately. I guess those will be disappearing very soon. I better stock up on one hitters.
 
G

Guest 16149

Florida is not gonna do shit to decrim, med or anything else, I live in this state and they will not change down here, too many self righteous bastards who think they know what is best for me and you. I will move from this state which I consider home, when and if I can afford to, it will be the very last state to pass any medical MJ or decrim laws, we are the only state increasing penalties.
Mark my words, the LAST state.
 
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