While state-wide ads are attacking the amendment to legalize medical marijuana, Florida A&M students are saying yes to Amendment No. 2.
Amendment No. 2 allows those with debilitating disease, determine by a licensed Florida doctor, to purchase marijuana for medical purposes.
Martize Williams, a 21-year-old biology pre-med student from Daytona Beach, Fla, said on Nov. 4 he will vote yes to legalizing the drug because it can alleviate the pain he has from a severe knee injury. He uses pain pill that doesn’t always relieve the pain and thinks marijuana will do a better job.
Lydia Gibbs, a third professional year PharmD Candidate form Pensacola, Fla, has studied the use of marijuana as a medicine. “It basically takes away their pain, relieving symptoms, but not really solving the issues. It also helps people who has problems eating and sleeping,” said Gibbs.
If passed, there will still be a prohibition on marijuana for recreational use. Although the drug will act as medicine, insurance companies and government agencies are not required to cover the cost of the prescription.
People will be willing to pay for the drugs themselves said Shaniqua Durant, a FAMU grad student.
Additionally, the amendment prohibits the operation of motor vehicles while under the influence. It also allows schools, work places and public places to ban the use of marijuana from their facilities.
The Florida Department of Health will monitor centers that produce and sell the drug. The department will also issues cards to patients and caregivers.
Students think that legalizing the drug will help resuscitate the economy.
“Tax it like cigarettes and alcohol,” said Gibbs. “People are going to buy it and the economy is going to boom.”
Currently 23 states and the District of Columbia have laws allowing the use of medical marijuana.