Editing Paper analysis

Medical Marijuana: 2

Medical Marijuana in Florida

Irving Toruno

Florida International University

POS 4784

04/01/2021

Medical Marijuana in Florida

The Florida Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative, (added comma) also known as Amendment Two (changed 2 to two for formality) first appeared in 2014 ballot but due to limited support it ended up being defeated this is because the law only applied to those who were terminally ill and with at least a year to live. (run on sentence) Later on, amendment two, (reworded “it later on” to be more specific) reappeared on Tuesday November 18th, 2016 ballot and over 60% of the members voted it in as an initiated constitutional amendment and was approved (Maxwell, 2019). ( period must come after parentheses. For example, “…approved. (Maxwell, 2019)”) The amendment went into effect on (in changed to on) January 3, 2017(.) The policy was mainly enacted to help the medical marijuana be used on patients only when the physician believed that it would be useful to outweigh the potential health risks for the patients. (confusing phrase, try to rewrite)

The Florida Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative incorporates various features that include the legalizing of marijuana for the people with terminal diseases such as the ALS, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, (added coma) and cancer. The people that had the almost at their end with the disease would not be prosecuted when they do (be more specific when forming your sentences, also this wording is confusing and not clear) possess (changed to possess, misspelled) or use marijuana for the medicinal purpose that did change their interactions. The new law also did establish (was established) to protect the licensed physicians that did see their protection from criminal action (confusing, try rewording) if they do administer the marijuana to the patients that fit that specific trait. The law was bound to help make sure that there was some form of interactions (change to interaction) that will help make sure that there is a proper plan that will help make sure that they (what is “they”, be less vague and more specific) achieve their interactions which is a major problem. It is also important to acknowledge that the law was bound to protect the marijuana clinics from being prosecuted when selling and dealing under the conditions and directives of the law.

Irving, instead of using words like “the, this, they, it, etc.” be more specific. This kind of language makes your writing vague, and confusing at times. Also, pay attention to grammar when you are forming your sentences, I commented on some sentences above.

The law (specify which law again to avoid vagueness) will focus on what is important regarding (changed to “regarding”) the laws in Florida and its influence on (changed to too on) the way that the state focuses on the legalization of marijuana and its medical purpose in the society. (be more specific in this sentence, what laws, what influence?) The law is seeking to make sure that interactions in the society in terms of marijuana and its medicinal value is functional and it is helping the society instead of it being abused. Florida is pushing to make the standards of the medicinal value of marijuana and its effects in the society is too vital to their functioning. (confusing) It is important to make sure that the policy is interactive (define interactive and what you mean by interactive) and functional which is important for the progress and the success of the strategy (what strategy?) that is essential for their functioning. The law is not only seeking to make the drug legal for medicinal purpose but also elevating any legal actions against the physicians and the clinics that do sell the drug for the specific medical purposes (Kilmer & MacCoun, 2017). (again period before parentheses) It is important to understand that legalization of marijuana for medicinal purpose is the main goal for the law and it is helping make sure that it is a social success that is seeking to make changes in the society. The law implies that the people dealing in marijuana but without the directives of the of law under the medicinal provisions will be convicted because they do not have the right and it is illegal but those selling under the directives of the law to the people that fit the medical conditions listed under the law that include Cancer, Glaucoma, HIV/AIDs among others will not be convicted because they are helping with the accessibility to the drug.

The Florida Department of Health Agency’s spokeswoman stated that the agency was willing to follow the voters’ will once the constitutional amendment went into effect. By June 2017, the members of the Florida House and State had approved legislation to implement the amendment and thus the law became effective. This was completed by June 24, 2017. However, the law faced some criticism after its implementation (Blitchok, 2019). The Florida department of health was playing a major role in the amending of the constitution and making sure that the different parties stick to will of the majority which was to pass the law and make sure that they are making the right directives. The department of health upon the successful passing of the law will have to make sure that they also work to make sure that the sick people fitting that particular group get the best health aid that they do need. The department has to make sure that they do restrict the clinics and the physicians that are going to abuse the new law (Powers, 2015). Some of the clinics or physicians might start to alter and forge the documents to help get people that do not fit the medical needs to get access to the marijuana. The move will be breaking the law and the Florida department of health will be out looking to stop such measures and make sure that the partial legalization of marijuana is meeting its intended goals and not just people taking advantage and accessing the drugs from legal dispensaries.

· I would have liked to see quotes from the actual language of the policy, and policymakers.

· Pay attention to the format of your citations throughout your paper, I commented on some.

History

The compassionate (compassionate should be “Compassionate”) Use Act was (“was a”) legal medical cannabis program in the history of the United States. It was the first legal marijuana program within the state that had succeeded in passing it. This makes 2014 to be a historic year for the state as other states seemed to be reluctant to pass the legislation. The original compassionate Use Act had provided allowance for the low-level THC cannabis to be given to patients that suffered from epilepsy and cancer (Powers, 2015). The turning point came in 2016 whereby the legislature of the state passed the law about the Right to Try which offered allowance for the full set of competency cannabis to be perfectly dispensed to patient that patients that suffered from diagnosed forms of terminal conditions. The year foresaw the introduction Florida marijuana legalization as the compassionate use act became a law on (in changed to on) 23rd June 2017.

The law dates back to “Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014” introduced by Governor Rick Scott in 2014. The law saw the legalization of low-tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis popularly known as Charlotte’s Web specifically to help with patients with physical conditions resulting into specific illnesses such as epilepsy, muscle spasms and cancer. The arguments against the legalization of the bill revolved around several factors such as there is no age limit on the consumers that might allow teenagers to access drugs without even need for parental concerns because they have doctors’ directives. The amendment did have a loophole because there was no directive of producing a doctor’s prescription to access the drug which was a major issue and an influence towards the growth of the society. The Drug Free Florida was the main opposing body in the fight against the legalization of the drugs because they did believe that it will lead to further problems in the society.

The first state in the United States to approve marijuana for medical use was California in 1996 and it was strictly meant to only be used for medicinal purpose restricting its sales and acquisition starting from growing and supplying the product. It is important to understand that cannabis became legal because it did pose some medicinal value especially in terms of calming a person and elevating some pain that did help change the way that they did view their society. It is important to understand that the drug did gain popularity leading to states such as Hawaii in 2000 to also legalize the drug for medicinal value. The continuing legalization of the marijuana across the United States was a major priority and thus it became a political aspect leading to the prioritization of the issue (Blitchok, 2019). The leaders seeking for leadership positions did sought to legalize the drug with the understanding that it did have the favor of the voters and thus they lobbied the issue to their advantage. The additional economic advantage of the drug was also a major advantage that contributed to the push of the legalization of the drug leading to its arrival in Florida. The legalization of the drug for medicinal value is only an easy part of the entire recreational legalization thus it became easier to convince the population including families and their parents, religious groups among other indifferences in the society to back and support the idea that did result in Florida buying the idea and impose it in 2014.

Various factors led to the implementation of the law that cannot be avoided. A look at the revenue stream that came from marijuana makes up one of the reasons as to why the drug was legalized in the country. This is based on the complicated framework that came with the illegal purchase. The revenue streams amounted to millions making the state to be interested. The social factors positively contributed to the introduction of the law (Ostrowski, 2018). Majority of the people within the society had embraced its use and taken the initiative of using it for medical purposes. The aspect led to increase political support from the leaders that saw it as an opportunity and a necessity to serve the health and social needs of the community by ensuring that cannabis was legalized in the state through relevant legislations.

Physical Factors

The right to medical marijuana was influenced by various physical factors that are important to analyzed and understands in a reflective way. (what physical factors, explain.) The landscape of the region seemed to be ideal for the commercial growth of the marijuana. It was a factor that people seemed to utilize in the region to grow the cannabis illegally. The state saw the opportunity in terms of revenue stream based on the favorable soil that favored the farming within the region (Powers, 2015). The aspect made the plant to be legalized so that its farming could be legalized, (comma) and the residents and state would earn a living from such initiatives. It was a broad move that triggered positive changes within the state in terms of marijuana use. The factor positively influenced the development of the policy that positively worked out for the residents.

· Please reflect more on the physical factors such as what is involved in the growth of marijuana.

Social Factors

The people that stand to benefit from the legalization come from the sick people (what kind of sick people, be more specific) (Dixon, 2017). The sick people are bound to recover and receive better health from the right interventions from marijuana that helps make sure that it elevates their pain and make it easier for them to live their life. The sick can now go on with their daily interactions and activities because they have the marijuana strain that helps in elevating their pain and reduce the escalation of their symptoms. The cancer and HIV/AIDs treatment drugs are a painful and they tend to deteriorate the health of the sick and thus it is important that they now have an alternative drug.

· Can explain what symptoms are alleviated with marijuana, and why this makes those who are sick with these diseases live a better life and participate more in their own community.

· I think when you mention interactions, you are referring to drug interactions, but this is unclear. If you are talking about drug interactions you can explain what drugs cause what interactions, and how marijuana can avoid this. You can talk about whether these drugs are addictive or not (I know some highly addictive drugs are used to alleviate pain for example, and these drugs have very negative effects in comparison to marijuana that is not as addictive or harmful, but also relieves chronic pain)

· Use more specific medical terms and specific drugs and diseases, how, what, and why it is affecting these people. Social Factors is your chance to show the impact that medical marijuana has on those who are ill, and why it increases their quality of life.

The practice comes in place when it comes in terms of efficiency as the youth and middle aged are the ones that stands to benefit in terms of progress. The middle aged and the youth are benefitting from the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purpose because it helps in providing drugs for the different feelings and interactions. Some of the youths are also victims of some of the diseases and thus with marijuana it becomes easier to interact (specify here what interactions you are discussing) and create a major difference in the society. The practice led to the implementation of positive ideals that led to better measures that served the interest of the people in a manner that is clearly effectual and essential when it comes to practice and implementation.

· I think you are trying to make some good points, and you do a good job of elaborating, but the vagueness in your language and lack of example, makes it difficult to understand what you are talking about.

The approval of the law will have a negative impact in the society socially because there will be a higher consumption rate of the drug especially because the people are bound to find loopholes to help fit their own individual agendas. (What is negative about marijuana use? What specific health effects? What specific societal effects? Give proof and elaborate on this negative impact to solidify your argument as you are making a claim and must back it up) The drugs have been illegal and still find their way into the society thus its partial legalization will help just lead to further controlling issues and instead bring the drug nearer to the society. It is a practice that needs to be understood as some of the elderly people hold moral ideals that are against the practice. They believe that the practice seems to have negative implications to the society in terms of implementation and other relevant ideals in place (Ostrowski, 2018). It is an essential issue of concern that needs to be perfectly reflected in a way that is ideal and reflective and essential which is clearly important and ideal. The practice needs to be perfectly reflected in a way that is ideal and relevant because control measures need to be put in place to change the overall opinion that people may have in relation to the matter based on the issue.

· I think that in Social factors you quickly went from one topic to the other without completing your reflection on the subject. Also, you made a strong claim about the negative impacts on marijuana in society. How does it make a negative impact? Who is it a negative impact to? Make sure you use facts to substantiate your claims.

Economic Factors

A look at economic factors surrounding the practice is highly important and essential to understand the reason behind the introduction of the policy in the country. The commercial availability of marijuana seems to the key point of focus that seems to have a positive reflection on the community (Arnold, 2018). A look at the impact that the legalization has on the tax revenue is a positive issue of concern as it has positive results. The state has the potential to collect of $200 million in fees and taxes based on the medical marijuana (Dixon, 2017). It is evident that the state of Florida does not impose excise tax on medical marijuana, (added a comma) but they must (changed to must for concise language) impose the state tax at the average of only 6%. The government opts for the less complex tax policies on the marijuana because it is medicinal but the other states in the country such as California have different tax policies to fit the various uses such as recreational use whereby it imposes a 15% excise duty and $1.35/oz for cannabis plant, $2.87/oz cultivation of leaves and $9.65/oz which is a mixed structure that fits the legalization of the policies in the world. The overall sales of the marijuana come to $2 billion, (added coma) and the number is expected to increase in the country. It is a factor that positively affects the country in terms of growth and other essential issues. The factor makes its legalization a perfect socio-economic choice for the state.

Looking at the policy in a socio-economic perspective reveals that the practice led (changed lead to led) to the generation of jobs and income for the country. The setting up of cannabis dispensaries and nurseries makes up the factor that the legislature passed the policy. The practice leads to the generation of income that would later on be taxed and the creation of job that would positively work in favor of the country. The generation of over 40,000 jobs is an aspect that is associated with the move making it a highly recommended practice for the country (Kennedy, 2016). The economic implication within the state is a key factor that makes its legalization important. On the other hand, it is an investment opportunity that positively works for the interest of the state (Ostrowski, 2019). The factor attracts investors that makes it more profession and serves the economic demands in a perfect way.

Political Factors

The political framework that came from the practice is a key matter of concern that needs to be positively reflected upon. The political players make up the legislations that is important based on the reflective points that needs to be reflected upon. The general assembly plays an important part in the implementation of the process in a way that is essential and reflected on a way that is effectual, essential, and important in a way that positively works out (Kennedy, 2016). The house of delegates and state assembly have an important stake as they vote on whether the policy needs to be positively reflected upon in a way that is reflective on the points that are essential to come up in a positive way that is essential to reflect upon in a way that is essential. The governor of the state and other politicians was supportive of the directive of the law that did help make sure that they would promulgate the law to the public to fit the needs of the sick in the state and in need of the marijuana. The various organizations supporting the legalization included Florida State Conference of the NAACP, CannaMoms, Florida Cannabis Industry Association, Florida Cannabis Action all did believe that the medicinal value of marijuana would be productive and efficient for the majority of the society (Ostrowski, 2018).

The Tampa Tribune and Drug Free Florida program did offer the negative opinions regarding the legalization of the marijuana even if it is for the medicinal purpose. It is important to understand that the different groups had a handful of opinions that include the fact the drug would soon become popular and ruin the entire reputation for the legalization of marijuana because there will be more people that will acquire the drug illegally. There will be a problem with also keeping the drug away from children which is a major issue in their production. It is important to acknowledge their concerns, but they did liberate them to the public so that they will have to make their independent decisions. Religious groups seemed to offer different opinions in relation to the matter. The focus is the creation of opinions in relation to its legalization. The consent that came from them is based on the religious teachings that are important to reflect on in a way that is permanently essential and reflected in a positive way. The support that comes from civil rights movement is a clear point that needs to be positively emulated based on the message that comes from the process. The aspect is reflected on the positive ideals that come in terms of service implementation and other essential issues in place (Powers, 2015). Ideally, their support played an important part in giving a voice to the users and the individuals that opposed the measure in a way that is clearly reflected upon.

Conclusion

In summary (*In summation*), the compassionate Use Act was legal medical cannabis program in the history of the United States. It was the first legal marijuana program within the state that had succeeded in passing it. Various factors led to the implementation of the law that cannot be avoided. A look at the revenue stream that came from marijuana makes up one of the reasons as to why the drug was legalized in the country. A look at economic factors surrounding the practice is highly important and essential to understand the reason behind the introduction of the policy in the country. The commercial availability of marijuana seems to the key point of focus that seems to have a positive reflection on the community. The political framework that came from the practice is a key matter of concern that needs to be positively reflected upon. The political players make up the legislations that is important based on the reflective points that needs to be reflected upon.

References

Powers, S. (2015). Florida's medical-marijuana licenses challenged. TCA Regional News

Kennedy, J. (2016). Florida's first medical marijuana dispensary opens in Tallahassee. TCA Regional News 

Dixon, D. (2017). North Florida’s medical marijuana production facility seeks an increase in accessibility. TCA Regional News 

Ostrowski, J. (2018). Florida's medical marijuana registry hits 100,000. TCA Regional News

Arnold, K. (2018). Florida's medical marijuana industry is hiring, but stoners need not apply. TCA Regional News

Maxwell, S. (2019). Scott maxwell: After grandma's arrested, jailed at Disney for carrying CBD oil, I look for answers about Florida’s medical marijuana laws. TCA Regional News

Blitchok, D. (2019). Trulieve: Availability of flower boosted Florida’s medical marijuana market in Q2. Benzinga Newswires 

Ostrowski, J. (2019). With Florida’s medical marijuana market thriving, pot proponents aim for full legalization. TCA Regional News 

Bibliography (be consistent, the title is either references or bibliography)

Kilmer, Beau, and Robert J. MacCoun. "How medical marijuana smoothed the transition to marijuana legalization in the United States." Annual Review of Law and Social Science 13 (2017): 181-202.

Santamaria, Nicole. "Medical Marijuana Legislation in Florida: The Recommendation vs. Prescription Distinction for Healthcare Providers." Stetson L. Rev. 45 (2015): 537.

Smith, Jessica M. "Medical Marijuana: What Florida Health Care Providers and Their Attorney."

Peer Review Comments:

Hello Irving. I hope you are well.

· I was just wondering if the bolding was to help you, if not I do not believe we should be bolding our paragraphs, as a part of formatting.

· Do not forget to add a table of contents, and an executive summary (first page) after writing your paper.

· You are missing Effectiveness of the policy and policy alternatives, just do not forget! (I am not sure if this was on purpose or not, as I am behind as well.)

· Also, this assignment does not ask for a conclusion. The executive summary replaces the conclusion in a way, it summarizes the paper, but it is at the beginning.

· Please read your paper and take into consideration what I mentioned about specificity as it is difficult to understand the point you are trying to make because your language is very vague.

· Also, pay attention to the questions that the professor posts under each section explanation under “Domestic Policy Final” and try to answer them before you write, then make too sure to incorporate them into your writing. It helps you stay on topic, and cover what the professor is looking for in this analysis.

I hope I was able to help you and your grade. Please contact me with any questions at +19546388245 (whatsapp only) or email [email protected]. I also highly recommend that you consult with the FIU writing center, because they can help you with the mechanics of your paper. I have used their services on several occasions, and it has been very helpful. I just want to let you know it is way easier to criticize than to DO. I make many of the same mistakes you make all the time! As a reader, it is easier to point out those mistakes!

Here is the link: https://case.fiu.edu/writingcenter/