TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A Florida Democrat has proposed a bill to allow Floridians with debilitating medical conditions to legally buy and use marijuana. The bill, known as the Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act, would allow those with certain severe medical conditions to be able to legally use marijuana only if their doctors recommend it. It was introduced by State Sen. Jeff Clemens, of Lake Worth.
Under the Act, patients or their caregivers would be allowed to have up to four ounces of marijuana and grow up to eight marijuana plants.
The bill is named for Cathy Jordan, who uses marijuana to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. “Scientific research consistently validates the medical benefits of marijuana in the treatment of a variety of debilitating medical conditions,” said Mason Tvert, director of communications for the
Marijuana Policy Project.
But not everyone is onboard. In a response to previous proposals about legalizing medical marijuana, Florida House of Representatives speaker Steve Crisafulli has said, "This is not an issue that I feel the legislature will be focused on."
In 2012, two Florida lawmakers proposed bills for medicinal cannabis use. Both bills died in committees.
