LATINO
NEWS BITES
Pros of Medical
Marijuana in Florida
Due to Florida’s aging population and
significant military presence of former
veterans, medical marijuana will bring relief
to those suffering from many age-related
illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s,
Dementia, and Cancer; in addition to PTSD
and pain caused by battlefield injuries.
A well regulated medical cannabis industry
will do much more than bring increased
health and quality of living to Florida
residents. It will generate revenues for state
coffers if implemented properly. Studies
show Florida could have nearly a billion
dollar industry within 5 years.
The Medical Marijuana
Question in Florida
By Christopher Carlos Cano, M.P.A.
LULAC Florida Deputy State
Director for Young Adults
This November Floridians
will take to the ballot box
to decide whether or not to
legalize medical marijuana
by voting on Amendment
2. There are clear
divisions on this issue and
the line has been drawn
in the sand. The latest
Quinnipiac University poll
shows 88% of registered
voters in Florida would
approve marijuana for
medical use vs. 10%
opposed to the idea. This
election cycle will make
for interesting studies for
years to come. Typically,
in off year elections, voter
turnout in Florida drops
significantly resulting in
below 50% of eligible
voters coming to the polls.
However, the issue of
medical marijuana is a
game-changer.
According to pubmed.
gov, there are over
15,000 studies related
to cannabinoids and
their medicinal effects.
Phyto-cannabinoids are
the chemical compounds
found in the cannabis plant
which effect the human
body’s endocannabinoid
system. The human
body naturally produces
compounds similarly
found in marijuana. These
regulate bodily functions
such as sleep, mood, pain,
and appetite. This is why
medical marijuana has
such a significant impact
on such a wide variety of
ailments.
Yet, regardless of how
much research contradicts
the current scheduling
of marijuana, some in
America and Florida
remain in opposition.
So to clearly outline
the argument for the
undecided voter, we will
examine the pros and
cons of legalizing medical
marijuana in Florida.
In 1972, ѡ