HEATHER WYSOCKI

HWYSOCKI@NEWS-PRESS.COM

Pot is hot — and it gets its advocates and dissenters hot under the collar, too.

At a town hall meeting hosted at The News-Press in downtown Fort Myers, six advocates on the issue — three for the amendment's passage and three against — explained their positions to a crowd.

On the pro side: attorney John Morgan, the face and pocketbook behind United For Care, the organization that got the Amendment 2 referendum on the ballot; nurse Denise Glass, representing the Service Employees International Union; and Cathy Jordan, an ALS patient who uses medical marijuana.

On the con side: Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell; Dr. Jonathan Daitch, interventional pain physician and member of the Lee County Medical Society; and Jessica Spencer, statewide coalition director for Vote No On 2.

While the debate ranged from medical reasons for marijuana to what special interests might be involved, one theme wafted through the air: It's a topic people are passionate about.

EMOTIONAL ISSUE

John Morgan is well-known for using his brother, paralyzed since 18, as the reason he is passionate about — and is spending millions on — getting Amendment 2 passed.

But Jessica Spencer was just as passionate, and said her concern stems from the amendment not being strict enough.

"This amendment is not perfect ... and if we're looking for a constitutional amendment, it darn well better be perfect," she said.

And Dr. Jonathan Daitch, a medical doctor, said he isn't against marijuana's medical use — just what he called a "poorly worded amendment."

Morgan sparred with Daitch and Spencer repeatedly, with Morgan throwing accusations of Daitch being concerned because he would lose money, and of Spencer being backed by "big money."

WHAT'S IT GOOD FOR?

Much of Tuesday's conversation revolved around what marijuana could be used for under Amendment 2, and what other options might exist for those patients.

Daitch, an interventional pain physician, said the amendment specifies certain terminal illnesses that would qualify, but has a line allowing "other conditions for which a physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for a patients."

It's the loophole, he believes, that would allow "pot doctors that are working for cash" to prescribe marijuana for too many other conditions.

And, he said, Charlotte's Web, a low-THC strain of marijuana approved by the state this year, can be used for a lot of the same ailments, such as paraplegia, multiple sclerosis and cancer.

But Denise Glass said opiates some of her patients take for pain "takes out their breathing, can drop their heart rate, most of the time they come to near unconsciousness."

Medical marijuana patients "stay awake, they talk to me ... I do know the difference between a good prescription and a bad prescription."

ENFORCEMENT AND CRIME UNDER THE AMENDMENT

Bill Prummell, Charlotte County sheriff, was asked questions on how Amendment 2 would affect the enforcement of drug laws.

It's his main issue with the amendment, he said.

"It's so open with loopholes it's there for use and abuse," Prummell said.

Under the amendment, licensed physicians, medical marijuana treatment centers, registered caregivers and patients are not "subject to criminal or civil liability sanctions under Florida law."

The amendment doesn't affect laws on nonmedical use, possession, production or sale, it states.

Cathy Jordan and her caregiver, husband Bob Jordan, grow marijuana for her use "on the pool deck," she said.

That's allowed because of a special medical necessity designation.

But Spencer cautioned that ability to grow personal medical marijuana appears to go away under Amendment 2.

"Under this amendment (Bob Jordan) would not be able to cultivate his own medicine because it's not written in the amendment," she said. "Is that compassion?"

VESTED INTEREST OR SPECIAL INTERESTS?

Each panelist at the town hall had his or her own reasons for supporting their stance, from Jordan, because it has helped her in the late stage of a difficult disease, to Daitch, who believes there are means to help patients with debilitating illnesses and is concerned the amendment is too ambiguous.

But that didn't stop barbs over what hidden motives might be lurking behind the public ones.

Morgan blamed Spencer's organization, Vote No On 2, for "$4 to $5 million" in advertising that has likely aided in Amendment 2's plummet from an over 70 percent approval rate to, in a recent poll, 48 percent.

The amendment must receive 60 percent of the vote to pass.

He also alleged financial motives for Daitch's and Spencer's fight against it.

In return, Morgan was told by Daitch and Spencer alternatives existed for his brother and for others, but were being overlooked by many.

"What hasn't been brought up and keeps being ignored is that we already have medical marijuana here," Spencer said.

EDITOR'S NOTE

During Tuesday's Amendment 2 town hall meeting hosted by The News-Press Media Group there was a heated exchange of words between one of the panelists, attorney John Morgan, and a News-Press editor. Accusations were made and it led to an inappropriate outburst that was a distraction from what was otherwise a productive discussion about medical marijuana.

Amendment 2 summary text

Allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients' medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not authorize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.

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