The nations largest marijuana policy reform organization is voicing it’s concerns over SB 1030 and the current systems in place to care for sick patients in Florida.
By Jacob Engels
Friday afternoon, the East Orlando Post obtained a copy of a letter circulating in the capitol – that was sent from the Marijuana Policy Project’s Deputy Director of State Policies, which urges Senator Robert Bradley – Chairman of the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries to make several changes to the legislation. The communique was also sent Senator Jeff Brandes, Senator Greg Steube, Senator Aaron Bean, Senate President Andy Gardiner, Speaker of the House Steve Crisafulli, State Representative Jason Brodeur, State Representative Matt Gaetz, and Governor Rick Scott’s counsel Tim Cerio.
The adjustments, include having doctors verbally recommend the use of medical marijuana, rather than actively prescribing it to patients, as the law currently requires. MPP cites Contant v. McCaffrey, where it was found that doctors had the first amendment right to recommend marijuana as a treatment, but did not address or affirm a physicians right to “order” such treatment, which is still against federal laws.
In the letter, MPP also addressed the fact that SB 1030 does not allow for independent laboratory testing, and as such, is potentially putting patients at risk.
“Independent testing ensures that medicine produced for some of the most seriously ill in Florida has been grown and produced free from contaminants. Additionally, independent testing ensures that medical cannabis is properly labeled so that patients know the ratio of cannabinoids in their medicine,” said Robert J. Cappechi, Deputy Director of State Policies for MPP.
Other areas addressed in the communique from MPP include the benefits of patients being able to ingest medical marijuana through smoking, limited listing of acceptable conditions, low-THC only rules, when a doctor can legally recommend treatment and unreasonably high barriers of entry for growers.
“Creation of a workable medical marijuana program by the legislature will allow lawmakers to have more control over the language and the process and will provide relief to the seriously ill sooner.” You can view the entire letter below.
Senator Bradley recently introduced SPB 7066, signaling his intent to revise the law. Hopefully sick Floridians will get the care they deserve sooner than later.
Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post & Seminole County Post. He is a seasoned political operative who has led numerous statewide political groups and has worked on several high-profile local, statewide, and national races. Jacob has been interviewed on national television & radio programs, with his work having been featured in the Orlando Sentinel, New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald and other publications nationwide. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com
