AG Jeff Sessions needs to go (ACTION ITEM)

It is no secret that I was against Jeff Sessions being confirmed to be America’s top cop via President Trump’s nomination of him to be our Attorney General. There are many reasons for this and the most prominent, is his anti-freedom attitude toward drugs as he clearly has a strong, uninformed bias. He even wants to go back to the failed Nancy Reagan era of “Just Say No.” While failing to acknowledge that there are thousands of legal things available to Americans that harm them, he has chosen to demonize cannabis (marijuana).

While many Americans were out protesting the election of Trump, they should have been taking action by calling and writing their U.S. Senators to stop the nomination of Sessions, but few did. I predict Sessions is going to be the single worst person and impose the worst actions of any Trump nominees.

While failing to acknowledge there are thousands of legal things available to Americans which harm them, Sessions has demonized cannabis and recently said that it is “only slightly worse than heroin.” He is either lying, grossly misinformed or a complete idiot — one or more of the three. One does not have to smoke, vape or bake cannabis to be in favor of the freedom for others to use the plant. Nor does one have to use the plant to know the science behind the positive benefits of ingesting it.

One does not have to smoke, vape or bake cannabis to be in favor of the freedom for others to use the plant. Nor does one have to use the plant to know the science behind the positive benefits of ingesting it.

But for the Attorney General of the United States to make public statements which are clearly false is irresponsible. It has been scientifically proven that cannabis can help with a large number of ailments and as research continues, I believe we will find many more. Heck, even the federal government holds a patent showing the plant has health benefits.

And while there are many positive health benefits of ingesting cannabis, some choose to take it for fun and to help with their creativity — and it is their right to do so. It is their right to do so, for so long as I am not (or any taxpayer) footing the bill for any (if any) of its effects. What I, as a taxpayer am paying for today, is for the prosecution and jailing of millions of Americans who are not harming anyone else. This needs to end and many states have taken the steps to end this harmful domestic policy.

This needs to end and many states have taken the steps to end the failed “War on Drugs” yet we have a hard right Attorney General who apparently thinks the movie Reefer Madness is a documentary. Please, stop the madness!

Send a tweet to President Trump using this simple, customizable link TODAY!  http://spredd.it/5K4I5aaZ

If you’re not on Twitter, then at least shoot an email to president@whitehouse.gov .

 

Make your voice heard in the upcoming hearings in Florida regarding medical marijuana regulation

The Department of Health has proposed rules for Amendment 2 Here is an article about the proposed Department of Health Hearings. February 6-9, 2017 staff members from the DOH Office of Compassionate Use are visiting five Florida cities. The tour is an effort by the Department to fulfill the public comment requirements.   Anyone can make a comment about the implementation of Amendment 2 through the Departments’ online form found here.  If you are passionate about ensuring patients have safe, legal access to cannabis, consider attending and speaking at a meeting near you. Items to speak out about! Changing the definition of caregiver – Any close blood relative should be allowed to act as a caregiver without a background check. A level 1 background check won’t exclude a con artist or swindler from becoming a caregiver and extorting a patient, unless the rules exempt people convicted of fraud or elder abuse.  Don’t ask Doctors to order specific quantities of cannabis. The proposed rules require doctors to “order” specific quantities of cannabis, which is too much like an unlawful prescription and puts doctors at risk under federal law. If doctors don’t participate, patients won’t be able to enroll. Let the doctor make the decision if cannabis is right for the patient. The proposed rules give the Florida Board of Medicine — not the patient’s doctor — the ability to determine whether the patient’s condition is “substantially similar” to those listed in the amendment. Ensure doctors can re-authorize our recommendation every 45-days without a subsequent visit! Patients can’t afford to pay a doctor, often out of pocket, every 45-days just to stay on the registry. When preparing to speak, here are some things to consider.  Know what you’re talking about. Read the proposed rules carefully and look up the references.  The DOH can only implement the laws as written in the Constitution or written in Florida Statute. Make sure you understand the difference and speak to what DOH can actually do. Here is the full statute as it exists. Don’t try to cover more than one or two items when you speak. Pick your point, have your facts on hand and make it relevant. There will be forms available before the meeting, get there early and fill one out. Your statement becomes part of the official record and the information you provide is public. Your time will be limited to three minutes or less. If enough people ask to speak you could get one minute. Get to your point quickly. Don’t waste time introducing yourself. They have your form. Get to your point quickly. Here are the times and locations of the public hearings. You don’t have to attend to be heard. Remember, everyone can comment through this online form. Feb 6 – 2:00 pm Office of Compassionate Use Public Hearing – Duval County Health Department, 900 University Blvd. North in Jacksonville Feb 7 – 10:00 am – Office of Compassionate Use Public Hearing – Broward County Health Department, 780 SW 24th Street in Fort Lauderdale Feb 8 – 9:00 am – Office of Compassionate Use Public Hearing – Florida Department of Health, Tampa Branch Laboratory, 3602 Spectrum Blvd. Feb 8 – 6:00 pm – Office of Compassionate Use Public Hearing – Orange County Health Department, 6102 Lake Ellenor Drive in Orlando Feb 9 – 4:00 pm – Office of Compassionate Use Public Hearing – Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Room 148 in Tallahassee.

For whom I am voting in 2016

So, I get asked quite a bit as to whom I am going to vote and putting out these “voter guides” is an easy way for people to see how I plan to vote. Hopefully, many will get educated about the candidates and the issues rather than simply going straight down the ballot voting for the “D” or the “R”. If the “D” or the “R” are the best candidate for YOU in a particular race, then that is great. Over the years my philosophy in voting has moved away from strategy to instead voting FOR the most freedom-based candidate and the most freedom-based issues in any particular election. I have limited my selection to only those I personally can vote. If you wish to see more expansive recommendations for Palm Beach County, you can visit the Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County’s Voters Guide. Oh, and way down near the bottom of the ballot you’ll see my name, vote for me!

So, that being said, here are my picks:

President & Vice President

Gary Johnson & Bill Weld

Gary Johnson is clearly the most freedom-minded candidate in the presidential race of the three that will be on the ballot in all 50 states. Floridians will have a choice between six candidates (not including write-ins) for president, but again, only three will be on the ballot in all 50 states so I narrowed my choice to within those three.

United States Senator

Paul Stanton

There are seven candidates for which to choose (not including write-ins) and I am choosing the Libertarian.

U.S. Representative – District 21

Paul Spain

Since only Spain and Frankel are in this race, excluding the Write-In candidate Mike Trout, Spain gets my vote. I am strongly tempted to vote Trout as I have met him several times and there are things I do not agree with Spain on, Spain remains the most freedom-based candidate.

Florida Senate – District 31

Jeff Clemens

Since Jason Swaby recently withdrew his write-in candidacy, Jeff Clemens is the winner of this race as he ran unopposed by a Republican or Libertarian. Perhaps next time around he will be given more serious competition so voters will have a choice. I like Clemens on many issues; however, he is not freedom-focused. 

Florida Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Judges

I am voting NOT TO RETAIN any of the existing judges in these races. If someone can convince me otherwise, feel free to shoot me an email and I will update accordingly.

15th Circuit Judge – Group 4

No opinion and not certain who I will vote for at this time

County Court Judge – Group 11

Gregg Lerman

Good, freedom-minded judge, though he is bound by the law.

The following are NON-PARTISAN races

Soil & Water Conservation District – Group 2

Matthew Bymaster

Soil & Water Conservation District – Group 3

Jesse Jackson OR Stephen Jara

Soil & Water Conservation District – Group 4

Karl Dickey

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

No. 1 – Solar – NO

I supported and voted for a better version of solar change for Florida during the August 30, 2016, primary which was passed. This version is not the better option as even environmentalists are against it.

No. 2 – Medical Marijuana – YES

Contrary to the scare tactics being put forth in recent advertisements, this amendment is ONLY for using cannabis for medical purposes and nothing more. There are many patients, especially seniors and those with cancer, who could benefit from cannabis treatment.

No. 3 – Tax Exemption – NO

Although this amendment is well-intentioned, it will only cause the rest of the taxpaying population to pay more. We need to get away from what we have been doing by creating tax exemptions for a special class of people and move toward lowering everyone’s tax exposure.

No. 5 – Tax Exemption – NO

Although this amendment is well-intentioned, it will only cause the rest of the taxpaying population to pay more. We need to get away from what we have been doing by creating tax exemptions for a special class of people and move toward lowering everyone’s tax exposure.

Countywide Question – Sales Tax Increase – NO

This 17 percent increase in the county’s sales tax is not only unnecessary, but also immoral. Although portrayed as a one cent increase in the county’s sales tax, it is actually a 17 percent increase. Any news outlet or politician describing it as a “penny tax” is not being honest about what it will cost the general public, especially those in the county who can least afford it.

Action Item: Florida residents, contact your reps to support medical marijuana – time is running out!

Yesterday, April 27, 2015, Florida‘s SB 7066, was postponed again by the Florida Senate, the fifth time in the last five sessions. The general session for the Florida Senate is set to expire at midnight this coming Friday, and there is fear the bill will not pass. The bill has gained approval of cannabis activists in the state, including the Florida Cannabis Action Network. The bill would allow 15 percent THC for qualifying patients, permitting them to get relief of ailment symptoms as well as potentially cure some diseases, as some research is leaning. The bill does not go far enough for libertarians in the State of Florida; however, feel it is a step in the right direction by respecting patients in need of a natural solution to the medical conditions.

Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images

Activists are hoping the general public will rise to the occasion to support the bill and send an email to their representatives in support of the SB 7066. There has been a strike-all amendment added that, with its amendments, makes SB 7066 palatable to cannabis legalization supporters.

READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE

Historic medical marijuana trial begins today in Broward County

HISTORIC MEDICAL MARIJUANA TRIAL BEGINS MONDAY, FEB. 23 IN BROWARD COUNTY

WHAT: First medical necessity defense jury trial in Florida is scheduled to be heard in Broward County

WHERE: Broward County Courthouse, Courtroom 4870 (Judge Rothschild), 496 SE 3rd Ave. Fort Lauderdale

WHEN: Monday, February 23, 2015 at 9:00 a.m.

WHY: Jesse Teplicki, 50, faces a felony count of possession of marijuana following his January 2013 arrest by the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Mr. Teplicki, who suffers from a severe case of anorexia which suppresses his appetite and makes him nauseous, was arrested last year for the cultivation and possession of 46 marijuana plants. For the first time in Florida history, a jury will get to decide if cannabis was medically necessary in Mr. Teplicki’s case. Typically, these types of cases are decided by a judge.
Mr. Teplicki is being represented by Michael C. Minardi, a partner in the law firm of Kelley Kronenberg. Mr. Minardi has dedicated his legal practice to defending patients who use cannabis for medical purposes for the past decade.

Florida Amendment 2 Medical Marijuana Act. Q and A

Prevent federal interference in state-legal medical marijuana programs

We are within striking distance of passing an amendment protecting state medical marijuana from federal interference. That’s why it’s so imperative that you reach out to your Congressman right now and urge them to vote YES on the Rohrabacher Amendment!

TAKE ACTION HERE!

This is the letter I just sent to my Congresswoman, Lois Frankel:

Please vote YES on the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment amendment to FY 2015 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations to be offered by Reps. Rohrabacher (R-CA), Farr (D-CA), Young (R-AK), Blumenauer (D-WA), McClintock (R-CA), Cohen (D-TN), Broun (R- GA), Polis (D-CO), Stockman (R-TX), and Lee (D-CA) to prevent federal interference in state-legal medical marijuana programs. The Rohrabacher Amendment doesn’t regulate marijuana for medical or social use, or even ask states to regulate it themselves. Essentially, I want states to be able to regulate their own medical marijuana programs without fear of meddling or obstruction from the federal government.

1. Public support for medical marijuana is overwhelming: a 2013 Pew poll found that 77 percent recognize marijuana has legitimate medical applications. There is also strong support for state medical marijuana programs, with 80 percent of Democrats, 76 percent of Independents, and 61 of Republicans supporting the sale and use of medical marijuana in their state.

2. Numerous studies have shown that medical marijuana has therapeutic benefits. Researchers have found that medical marijuana manages the symptoms of serious illnesses including chemotherapy-induced nausea and multiple sclerosis. These findings have been substantiated by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. In a two-year review of scientific data, researchers found a substantial consensus among experts that medical marijuana can be used to treat nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety, among other conditions.

3. Medical marijuana programs do not increase youth drug use or crime: researchers have evaluated youth marijuana use rates in multiple medical marijuana states and found that medical marijuana programs have not led to an increase in youth use of marijuana. In fact, there is no correlation between medical marijuana programs and youth marijuana use rates. Furthermore, studies have found that medical marijuana dispensaries do not lead to more violent or property crime in surrounding neighborhoods. In fact, in the areas immediately surrounding dispensaries, crime may actually be reduced.

Please help us move forward as a nation by voting YES on the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment amendment to FY 2015 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations to prevent federal interference in state-legal medical marijuana programs.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

CME and CLE credits available for cannabis conference beginning tomorrow

Tomorrow, May 8, 2014, in Portland, Oregon, the eighth annual Patients Out of Time Conference will begin through May 10, 2014. The focus of this year’s conference is on The Endocannabinoid System and Age Related Illness which is designed to attract a wider audience of those interested in learning more about cannabis as medicine. Attendees can earn CME and CLE credits and there is a chance for attending remotely.

Read the rest of the story here.

Florida Attorney General candidate slams Florida legislature on medical cannabis

Today, May 7, 2014, Libertarian Party of Florida (LPF) Attorney General candidate Bill Wohlsifer sent out a statement highly critical of Florida lawmakers in their veiled attempt at compassion for Florida patients and the use of medical cannabis. Last week, just before close of session, Lawmakers passed CS/CS/SB 1030, also known as “Charlotte’s Web” and the “Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act 2014”. Wohlsifer has been releasing a number of statements publicly and on his campaign blog pointing out that this Act is a disappointment and disguise for crony capitalism in the name of children.

Read the rest of the story here.

Low THC bill passes Florida Legislature and heads to Governor Rick Scott

The Florida Senate took up and passed SB 1030 Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014 on the final day of session, May 2, 2014. The House voted on an amended version on Thursday that raised the number of licenses to five; expands the disorders to include cancer; requires the dispensing organization to post a substantial bond; requires dispensing organizations to have a medical director with cannabinoid education to oversee the processing and dispensing and much more. Florida Governor Rick Scott has said he will sign the legislation into law.

Read the rest of the story here.

 

Florida Governor Rick Scott ready to sign highly restrictive marijuana bill

Today, the Florida Senate passed SB 1030 and the Floria House passed their version earlier this week to legalize a highly restrictive medical marijuana bill. Last night, May 1, 2014, Florida Governor Rick stated that he would sign the legislation into law making marijuana once again legal in Florida — even if to a small number of Floridians. The bill, often referred to as the “Charlotte’s Web” bill would legalize a specialized strain of cannabis for a small number of patients. The original bill only focused on children with seizures, however it was expanded to a restrictive number of cancer patients as well. The bill is so restrictive, it was the only way for Republicans to stay in the running, politically, this November as the overwhelming majority of Floridians feel marijuana should be legal in the state.

Read the rest of the story here.

New Harvard poll find most young voters are independent

A new poll released yesterday by Harvard University’s Institute of Politics found that most young voters consider themselves as independent voters, not wishing to align themselves as either a Democrat or Republican. Thirty-eight percent of 18 to 29 year-old Americans polled answered as independent to the question, “When it comes to voting, with which party do you consider yourself to be affiliated?”

Read the rest of the story here.

 

Florida cannabis bill heads to Florida Senate Judiciary Committee this morning

Today, April 21, 2014, the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee will hear Senate Bill 843 at 10:45 a.m. and will likely move along soon for a vote in the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives. SB 843 is the most restrictive of the cannabis bills floating around Tallahassee this 2014 legislative session and would offer relief to an estimated 400 patients in Florida.

Read the rest of the story here.