Rep. Joe Saunders (D-Orlando) filed legislation today to improve the lives of Floridians with chronic and debilitating disorders by allowing for access to cannabis as an alternative treatment option.
HB 859, named The Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act, creates a well-regulated and controlled program that meets the needs of Floridians with chronic health conditions and disabilities. The new program contains protections to ensure public safety while also saving taxpayer dollars.
Rep. Saunders offered the following statement:
On the most basic level, the Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act is about compassion. A blanket ban on access to medical marijuana is hurting Floridians. We believe this bill represents the best course for implementing the constitutional amendment on this November?s ballot but also gets help to those patients who simply can?t wait. Our bill will empower patients in Florida who are dealing with HIV, cancer, tumors, chronic and debilitating pain and a host of other ailments to work closely with a licensed Florida physician to integrate medical cannabis into their treatment. It would empower both the Department of Health and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to create a tightly regulated framework of oversight, distribution and cultivation. In other words, those who need it will work with a doctor to get it and those who would abuse it would be punished.?
The Florida Supreme Court recently approved a voter-led initiative to include the issue on the ballot in the upcoming election. The legislation will put into place what an overwhelming majority of Floridians support: a comprehensive program that allows access to cannabis for medical treatment in addition to regulating when and how it can be cultivated, dispensed, and used.
Currently, patients in 20 states and the District of Columbia like Cathy Jordan, diagnosed with Lou Gehrig?s disease over 28 years ago, have access to medical cannabis as an alternative. Study after study proves, and now evidence in these states backs up, that medical marijuana is helping people as an effective form of treatment.
