Is Florida about to become the first Southern state to legalize medical marijuana?

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Kurt Wallace: This is Kurt Wallace, and our guest today on Rare is Ben Pollara, Campaign Manager of United for Care in Florida. They have an amendment to legalize medical marijuana — Amendment 2. And, Ben, thanks for being with us today on Rare.

Ben Pollara: Thank you for having me, Kurt.

Kurt Wallace: Why legalize medical marijuana?

Ben Pollara: I think the reasons for legalizing medical marijuana are simple, and the reasons for voting, “yes” on Amendment 2 are simple. The two questions that voters should ask themselves as deciding on this amendment are — number one: in the course of a doctor patient relationship; if a doctor recommends a particular type of treatment to a sick and suffering patient, should that patient be able to follow the doctor’s orders without having to be a criminal? And, number two: if somebody that you love was suffering and perhaps dying today and the use of medical marijuana could help them, would you break the laws today to help that member of your family or that person that you love? And, I think the vast preponderance of people would say, “Yes” to both of those questions. And, if you said, “Yes” to yourself to both those questions, you should vote, “Yes”, on Amendment 2.

Kurt Wallace: In terms of the types of treatments that medical marijuana can help with — what are the ailments that this works for?

Ben Pollara: Well, the medical marijuana movement was actually started in the late 90s by a man who lost his partner to AIDS and marijuana was one of the only things that helped him have decent quality of life — his last time on the planet.

A lot of people think about medical marijuana because of the appetite simulation properties. And, that’s why it’s a really effective thing for people going for cancer treatments and chemo and radiation who can’t hold down a meal — who just simply aren’t hungry. They can’t stand the smell of food. Marijuana can help him actually eat a decent meal and have a decent quality of life.

More recently, we’ve been seeing a lot of other potential medical uses for marijuana. Sonjay Gupta did a fantastic documentary and then a follow up for CNN called, ‘Weed” and “Weed 2”, where he talked a lot about the different medical uses of marijuana; but, particularly, started to focus on epilepsy and other severe seizure disorders in young children. And, marijuana has been shown for some kids — not for everybody – but, for some kids to have tremendous efficacy in reducing and in some cases eliminated their day-to-day seizures.

Kurt Wallace: Ben, are there any organizations that are out there that are very reputable, well-known organizations that deal with different diseases that support medical marijuana?

Ben Pollara: There’s the American College of Physicians. The Epilepsy Foundation has put out some statements recently calling for a ton more research on marijuana because of its potential impact on epilepsy and other seizure disorders. WebMD just recently did a nationwide survey of doctors, and 67% of physicians say that marijuana is medicine and they would potentially recommend it to their patients.

So, a lot of these large organizations are political organizations and have political aims to serve and — not necessarily the best interest of their members. So, this is still a political hot button for a lot of people and they’re afraid of the issue. But, on an individual basis, most doctors are for this and most physicians and medical professionals are for this.

We are particularly proud in this campaign that we are receiving the endorsement of the SEE, the Service Employees Union, which is the largest organization in the State of Florida representing nurses and health care workers.

Kurt Wallace: In terms of actual support from the public — which is what you need in order to pass this amendment — how realistic is it for Florida voters to vote on medical marijuana?

Ben Pollara: I think it is very realistic. Until recently, public polls have showed very, very strong support for this. Depending on which polls you look at — they still do. But, we have just recently faced a barrage of $2.5 million of negative advertisements in the last couple weeks. Us — with our relatively limited budget — have not been able to answer back and forth.

So, we’re outspent by about 10 to one in the last couple of weeks. You’ll notice that the negative ads that they run against us do not attack the concept of medical marijuana because medical marijuana is a very noncontroversial topic for most Floridians. Instead, they try to nitpick the laws and say Amendment 2 isn’t right. Not that medical marijuana isn’t right because medical marijuana is almost an unassailable position for most Floridians — and for most Americans.

Kurt Wallace: In terms of the argument against medical marijuana — that it’s a gateway to recreational marijuana; and, then, other recreational drugs if it’s legalized. What do you say?

Ben Pollara: Well, I think it’s a false equivalency in this campaign. We can talk about whether or not marijuana is a gateway drug. I think that the vast majority of evidence suggests that it is not. But, that is, also, neither here nor there when we’re talking about medical marijuana. Our chairman, John Morgan, likes to say: ”Marijuana is a gateway — it is a gateway to hospice,” because that’s what we’re dealing with.

We’re dealing with individuals with debilitating diseases and medical conditions in the State of Florida. We’re not talking about the recreational use of marijuana. So, it’s not necessarily an accurate comparison.

Kurt Wallace: In terms of the political aspect — you have two people running for governor. Well, you actually have three because you have the libertarian candidate who’s at 6%, but we have a former Republican, and we have a Republican. What happens if this does pass? Will they veto medical marijuana law?

Ben Pollara: Well, they cannot. That’s why we’re doing this. This is a constitutional amendment. The elected officials in the State of Florida have failed their constituents on this issue. Medical marijuana has been broadly supported in Florida in public polling going back to 2010. Legislators have filed bills in the State Capitol for year after year. They have not gotten a hearing — so much as a vote.

Patients and activist have been going to their legislators for years and years and years begging – desperate for a law like this; and, they don’t get the time of day there.

So, that’s why we’re on the ballot as Amendment 2. We would get an amendment to the state constitution, and whoever the governor is will be forced — it is not a choice. This would be the law of the land, and as they — as the governor would have to implement it.

Kurt Wallace: Ben, where can people go to get more information and support your effort?

Ben Pollara: If they want more information on the issue, go to our website www.UnitedforCare.org – find out more. Pledge your vote for Amendment 2.

Early voting starts very soon here in Florida. We have many bites of the apple to vote. We have 10 days of early voting, plus Election Day. So, that’s 11 days of voting depending on what county you’re in. There’s absolutely no excuse not to vote in this election.

This is an extraordinarily important issue. It will affect every single one of us or someone that we love in our lifetimes — whether we like it or not. By voting, “Yes” on Amendment 2, you’re voting to almost immediately help 100 of 1000s of sick and suffering Floridians to follow the orders of their physicians without having to be criminals.

Kurt Wallace: Ben Pollara, Campaign Manager for United for Care, thanks for being with us today on Rare.

Ben Pollara: Thank you so much for having me.