Across the nation, medical marijuana is embraced as a safe, effective way to treat chronic pain and serious illness. Yet the Florida Legislature stubbornly refuses to act and has turned its back on the majority of Floridians who support its use. That leaves no other option but for voters to take action, and they should amend the Florida Constitution to legalize the use of marijuana for limited medical situations.

Amendment 2 would allow doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients who have a debilitating medical condition. Qualifying patients would receive identification cards from the Department of Health and be allowed to obtain the recommended dosage from state-regulated dispensaries. Licensed caregivers would be allowed to administer the drug to qualifying patients. The health department would regulate the industry.

Two years ago, a similar medical marijuana initiative narrowly failed to win the 60 percent approval required to amend the state Constitution. The Tampa Bay Times editorial board recommended against that amendment, citing several concerns about its wording and potential unintended consequences. We also preferred — and still do — that this issue be addressed in state law rather than by amending the Constitution so that changes could be easily made along the way.

But the Legislature has had two years to write appropriate medical marijuana laws and has fallen woefully short. A 2014 law allows non-euphoric strains of marijuana, known as Charlotte's Web, for patients, especially children, who suffer from seizures. But the licensing and regulatory system set up by the state has led to so many disputes that few patients have been able to access the drug. In 2015, the Legislature expanded on the Charlotte's Web law with the "Right to Try" act that lets terminally ill people use medications that don't have full FDA approval, including full-strength marijuana. That still excludes too many Floridians who desperately need help.

So amending the Constitution is a last resort. The problems with the 2014 version of the medical marijuana amendment, which was vague and too open to interpretation, have been adequately addressed. Three key areas that were improved:

• Defining qualifying conditions. The amendment lists specific "debilitating medical conditions" a patient must have to obtain a doctor's approval for medical marijuana. They include cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, PTSD, as well as other conditions "of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated." That phrase more narrowly defines what ailments qualify for medical marijuana than the earlier version, which gave wider latitude to doctors.

• Caregiver qualifications. The 2014 amendment failed to clearly define rules for who could dispense medical marijuana, leaving the door open to abuse. This year's version gives explicit authority to the Department of Health to write regulations and run background checks and issue licenses to caregivers.

• Immunity and liability. The amendment establishes that patients and caregivers who follow the rules are not breaking the law. But it doesn't provide blanket immunity either, stating that doctors who issue certifications for medical marijuana must act "with reasonable care." Dispensaries and their employees are required to operate within Department of Health rules.

Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia allow medicinal use of marijuana. Only four of those have gone further and legalized marijuana for recreational use. Approving Amendment 2 would not and should not pave the way to full legalization as opponents claim. It would, however, help Floridians who are suffering by making a treatment that can alleviate myriad conditions available under the guidance of a doctor.

Amendment 2 is a compassionate response to people in pain. State lawmakers have been given time but have failed to adequately address this issue, leaving voters with no other option but to legalize medical marijuana. On Amendment 2, the Tampa Bay Times recommends voting yes.