Rick Scott on Drugs

Legalized "Charlotte's Web" low-THC medical marijuana

Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a law in June allowing the limited use of a special non-euphoric strain of marijuana, known as Charlotte's Web, to treat state residents with epilepsy, cancer and afflictions causing "seizures or severe and persistent muscle spasms."

The amendment, if approved by voters, would allow marijuana to be more broadly prescribed by doctors to treat a range of debilitating conditions.

Charlotte's Web is an oil extract not for smoking and is specially cultivated to be very low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the element that gets users high.

OpEd: Requiring drug testing for welfare is unconstitutional

A federal district judge ruled that Scott's law was unconstitutional: Blanket drug testing without probable cause amounts to illegal search and seizure. In this ruling, no shades of gray distinguish between rich and poor.

The State of Florida actually lost money on this misbegotten scheme.

Scott says he will appeal the decision. Is he so thick-headed that he doesn't understand he's on the wrong side of the law and good financial sense, or is he proceeding in order to continue ingratiating himself with the "right" voters?

Random drug testing of state employees

Amendment to the State Constitution to prohibit compelling any person or employer to provide for health care coverage.
• To preserve the freedom of all residents of the state to provide for their own health care:
• A law may not compel any person or employer to purchase, obtain, or otherwise provide for health care coverage.
• A person or an employer may pay directly for lawful health care services and may not be required to pay penalties for paying directly for lawful health care services.
• A health care provider may accept direct payment for lawful health care services and may not be required to pay penalties for accepting direct payment from a person or an employer for lawful health care services.
• The private market for health care coverage of any lawful health care service may not be abolished by law or rule.

Status:Bill passed House, 80-37-2; passed Senate, 29-10-1. (Mike Haridopolos voted YEA).

Require random, mandatory drug testing of state employees

Analysis by ACLU Florida: The legislature took it upon itself to expand the Drug-Free Workplace Program to mandate random, suspicionless drug testing for state employees on a rotating basis. Each state agency can choose whether to participate in the program as it will have to find the funds to do so, i.e. pay for the drug tests, in its current allotted budget. If an employee fails the drug test, he/she must attend a rehab program or face disciplinary action or discharge.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-37-3 on Mar/2/12; Passed Senate 26-14-0 on Mar/9/12; Signed by Governor Rick Scott on Mar/19/12

Drug courts & alternatives to incarceration

Rated D by NORML, indicating a "hard-on-drugs" stance.

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2016 NORML scores as follows:

• C-/D/F: `hard-on-drugs` stance (approx. 243 members)
• C: mixed record on drug reform (approx. 45 members)
• A/B: pro-drug-reform stance (approx. 293 members)

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law`s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty.

NORML is a nonprofit, public-interest lobby that for more than 30 years has provided a voice for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition. We represent the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who smoke marijuana responsibly and believe the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana should no longer be a crime.

NORML supports the removal of all criminal penalties for the private possession & responsible use of marijuana by adults, including the cultivation for personal use, and the casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts. This model is called `decriminalization.`

NORML additionally supports the development of a legally controlled market for marijuana, where consumers could purchase it from a safe, legal and regulated source. This model is referred to as `legalization.`

NORML believes that marijuana smoking is not for kids and should only be used responsibly by adults. As with alcohol consumption, it must never be an excuse for misconduct or other bad behavior. Driving or operating heavy equipment while impaired from marijuana should be prohibited.

NORML strongly supports the right of patients to use marijuana as a medicine when their physician recommends it to relieve pain and suffering.

Lastly, NORML supports the right of farmers to commercially cultivate hemp for industrial purposes, such as food and fiber production.