There are some law enforcement officials in Florida that simply don't believe everyone seeking medical marijuana would be using it for medicinal purposes.
The Florida Sheriffs Association has gone as far as saying that Amendment 2, set to be placed on the November ballot and which will let doctors prescribe marijuana for debilitating diseases, is actually a "wolf in sheep's clothing."
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, head of the FSA and he of the sheep's clothing reference, also claims regarding Amendment 2, "It is not about medicinal use of marijuana, it's about legalizing marijuana."
Judd adds that, if passed, instead of reducing arrests, the amendment would actually lead to an increase of arrests on marijuana charges, at a huge burden to state taxpayers for regulation and lawsuits by those using the drug recreationally.
Thus far, 21 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana use with varying possession limits. Only Colorado and Washington state have legalized marijuana for recreational use.
Judd and the FSA are also claiming the legalization of medical marijuana in Florida will open to the door to the state eventually legalizing the drug for recreational use.
"These folks have very cleverly crafted a campaign for very sick people, and, frankly, it offends me," Judd explained. "They're tugging on our heartstrings and they're taking advantage of our love and concern for people with debilitating conditions."
A fiscal analysis by the Florida Department of Health based on Amendment 2 passing predicts there would be about 1,800 pot shops around the state.
Along with Florida, the states of New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania will also have proposed legislation on ballots this November involving medical marijuana legalization.
The arguments for the legalization of medical marijuana are outlined by the website MarijuanaToday.com as they claim in a released statement.
"It is estimated that the United States government spends $10 billion a year in its attempts to keep marijuana off the street, while the state of California has revenue of $14 billion annually for the production of its legalized medicinal marijuana," the site notes.
