Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Source: Florida Secretary of State[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elections in Florida |
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 Government |
The Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, also known as Amendment 2, was approved by voters in the Tuesday, November 8, 2016, general election in the State of Florida. The bill required a super-majority vote to pass, with at least 60% of voters voting for support of a state constitutional amendment.[2] Florida already had a medical marijuana law in place, but only for those who are terminally ill and with less than a year left to live.[3] The goal of Amendment 2 is to alleviate those suffering from these medical conditions: cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition or that originates from a qualified medical condition or other debilitating medical conditions comparable to those listed.[4] Under Amendment 2, the medical marijuana will be given to the patient if the physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for a patient. Smoking the medication was not allowed under a statute passed by the Florida State Legislature, however this ban was struck down by Leon County Circuit Court Judge Karen Gievers on May 25, 2018.[4]
In 2016, measures to legalize recreational marijuana appeared on the ballot in five states: California, Nevada, Arizona, Maine, and Massachusetts. Four more states, including Florida, Arkansas, North Dakota and Montana, considered initiatives to legalize medical marijuana, a move that some say is a first-step towards full legalization.[5]
- ^ Detzner, Ken. "Florida Department of State - Election Results". Florida Secretary of State. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
- ^ "Laws governing the initiative process in Florida - Ballotpedia". Retrieved November 3, 2016.
- ^ "Rick Scott Signs Law Allowing Limited Medical Marijuana Use". The Huffington Post. June 16, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
- ^ a b "Florida Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Law". Retrieved July 14, 2017.
- ^ "Marijuana legalization could reach a national tipping point on Election Day". PBS NewsHour. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
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