Drug Free America Foundation Urges Florida Medical Organizations to Think Twice Before Supporting Smoked Marijuana As a Medicine

(St. Petersburg, FL) Recently, Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association (FADAA) reported that the economic impact of substance abuse in Florida is approximately $43 billion annually impacting “every level of our state, from our streets to our classrooms.” FADAA’s study found that the consequences of substance abuse cost Floridians nearly $5 million every hour.
This number is bound to increase if a potential 2010 ballot initiative legalizes marijuana as a so-called medicine. “The devil is in the fact that there are no details,” said Calvina Fay, executive Director of Drug Free America Foundation. “This initiative has no parameters. There is no amount specified in the initiative language nor is there any language that prohibits pot shops from cropping up all over our state.”
Currently in California, the marijuana dispensaries/pot shops have reached an all time high for example there are over 900 in Los Angeles alone. In some towns they outnumber McDonalds and Starbucks combined.
The American Medical Association (AMA) just released a report concluding that although more research should be conducted on the medical efficacy of marijuana, they do not agree with current state-based medical marijuana programs or the legalization of marijuana and that the scientific basis for marijuana as a medicine does not meet FDA requirements thus far.
“Even if Florida were to tax and regulate marijuana, the revenue generated would not come close to paying for the costs associated with the increase in use of marijuana that would skyrocket from its legalization So-called medical marijuana has a long way to go before passing medical muster,” concluded Fay.
If you would like to set up an interview about this issue with Calvina Fay or doctors who have studied this issue, please contact Lana Beck at (727) 828-0211 or (727) 403-7571.
Drug Free America Foundation is dedicated to fighting drug use, drug addiction and drug trafficking and to promoting effective sound drug policies, education and prevention. For more discussion please visit our blog at www.dfaf.org