Medical Marijuana: Logical, compassionate and scientifically sound.

To the Honorable Governor of Florida,

We the undersigned support safe, legal access to cannabis medicine for people. We believe science, logic, human compassion, and the proven economic impact all support allowing Floridians and their healthcare providers to consider cannabis as an alternative medicine.

This session, Representatives and Senators are considering HJR 353 and SJR 1028. They propose a Constitutional Amendment to allow the medicinal use of cannabis to be placed on the ballot in 2012. Upon passage of the amendment, the legislature would have to pass guidelines in 2013.

Don’t make Florida patients wait another day – let alone 18 months – for access to a proven medicine enjoyed under the cover of state law for over 33% of Americans.

We urge you to enjoin your Representatives and Senators to write and pass a new Bill to allow medicinal use of cannabis by Florida citizen effective immediately upon your signature.

We further urge you to join Governor Chaffee of Rhode Island and Governor Gregorie of Washington in their “Request to Reschedule Cannabis” filed with the DEA, FDA, Department of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General of the United States.

Opening cannabis to research means huge potential for the pharmaceutical industry, but it also creates jobs and economic activity in states that allow medical use.

Licensing of patients and growers/caregivers and tax revenue would be a financial benefit to the state. Legalizing the medicinal use of cannabis will create a new industry and stream of revenue, putting millions of dollars in our state’s coffers. It would create thousands of jobs, lower health care costs, and provide a source of economic activity throughout the state.

Jobless Florida citizens are waiting. Patients are waiting. The Florida economy is waiting. Don't make them wait any longer.

You can turn around the lives of patients and the Florida economy, and we request that you do.