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Medical pot approved by voters in Florida

On Behalf of | Nov 14, 2016 | Drug Charges

Florida residents had many things to watch in the recent election. In addition to national positions, a host of local and state issues were also on the ballot. One of these, Amendment 2, related to the legal use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The fact that Florida was even considering legalizing pot for any use was something of a win. It represented an acknowledgement that not all drugs are bad all of the time and neither are the people who use them. In order to pass, Amendment 2 needed at least 60 percent of voters to approve it. That threshold was reportedly met and surpassed by a significant margin. It will be more than a year and a half before the regulations must be in place by the Florida Department of Health.

In the meantime, the state will prepare to issue identification cards to those authorized to use medical marijuana. It will also oversee the establishment of pot farmers and cultivators as well as businesses licensed to sell medical pot. In order to be eligible for medicinal marijuana, patients must receive doctor recommendations and have qualifying conditions. These include epilepsy, cancer and HIV for starters.

People in Florida who are facing potential drug charges or who want to better understand the parameters around medical pot in the state may find it useful to talk with an attorney. This can give people the chance to better learn the laws as they are sometimes rather complex.

 

Source: The Tampa Bay Times, “Florida overwhelmingly votes to legalize medical marijuana,” Michael Austen, Nov. 8, 2016

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