The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida is trying to cut through the politics of medical marijuana by giving voters just the facts. The foundation is holding a series of question-and-answer sessions across the state with both proponents and opponents of marijuana legalization.
The debate around medical marijuana has been raging for months in the run-up to November, when voters will decide whether to legalize the drug for medical uses in Florida.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNobrt_r3J0
That’s an ad by the “Vote No on 2” campaign pushing voters to reject Amendment Two, which would legalize marijuana for medical purposes. But proponents have been equally as vocal, urging a yes vote on the amendment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh_sDh2vbW4
And then there’s a new state law that has legalized a non-smoked and non-euphoric strand of marijuana. The Florida Department of Health is trying to make rules for who can grow the plant and provide the drug, but that process is controversial and lawsuits have been filed trying to block the proposed rule before they’re finalized. Much of the debate around marijuana in Florida has been political, and Karen Basha Egozi with the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida says, the conversation hasn’t addressed many of the questions people have, especially about enforcement.
“If these amendments pass and you’re a patient with epilepsy, how are my driving rights affected? Are my driving rights affected? So it will be questions that are directed at them because of their expertise," she says.
Egozi is hoping a series of forums in major Florida cities will help consumers understand more about epilepsy and medical marijuana as a treatment option. She says The National Epilepsy Foundation has been pushing the Food and Drug Administration to reduce marijuana’s risk classification so more research can be done.
“Because it’s a schedule 1 drug, the research is difficult for a medical professional to do, because they risk their license and all they’ve accomplished in school," Egozi says. "If we reduced marijuana to a [schedule] two or three, it would make that research easier to do, and we could get true medical research.”
The Epilepsy Foundation’s forums began Tuesday in Jacksonville, Pensacola and Gainesville. Stops in Fort Lauderdale and Miami are set for later in the month.
Dates Below:
When: Tuesday, October 7, 2014
6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Where: University of Florida - Levin College of Law
Holland Hall 285 B
309 Village Dr
Gainesville, FL 32611
Who: Epilepsy Foundation of Florida is hosting the event, and will feature the following participants:
- Whitney Mutch, the founder of Indiegainesville
- A representative from Vote No on Amendment 2 statewide coalition
- Dr. Jose Gaudier, a neurologist at Ocala Regional Medical Center
- Michael Barton, individual gift officer for the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida
- Jon Mills, University of Florida law professor
- Cathy Klein, mother of a child with epilepsy
- A representative from United For Care
-
When: Saturday, October 18, 2014
11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
512 NE 3rd Ave
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
Who: Epilepsy Foundation of Florida is hosting the event, and will feature the following participants:
- Dr. Rudy Morel, lawyer and chairman of UW Substance Abuse Chapter
- Ben Pollara, campaign director for United For Care
- Jessica Spender, statewide coalition director for Vote No on 2 Amendment
- Dr. Tarek Zacharia, a neurologist at Memorial Neuroscience Center
- Thomas Lee, FAU researcher
- Michael Barton, individual gift officer for the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida
- Gail Miller, a pharmacist living with Epilepsy
-
When: Thursday, October 23, 2014
6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Where: University of Miami Hospital - Seminar Center
1400 NW 12th Ave, First Floor
Miami, FL 33136
Who: Epilepsy Foundation of Florida is hosting the event, and will feature the following participants:
- Diana Gonzalez, reporter and consultant for Hollywood Health and Society
- Ben Pollara, campaign director for United for Care
- Jessica Spencer, statewide coalition director for Vote No on 2
- Dr. Andres M. Kanner, professor of Clinical Neurology
- Michael Barton, individual gift officer for the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida
- Seth Hyman, father of a child with Epilepsy
