Florida’s Medical Marijuana Act’s Language is Ambiguous; Maybe the Drafters Were High When They Wrote It?

Abstract

On June 15, 2014, Governor Rick Scott signed the bill, “Compassionate Use of- THC Cannabis.” The “Compassionate Use of THC Cannabis” bill narrowly defines who qualifies to possess and who may treat patients using cannabis. On January 1, 2015, Florida will be the twenty-third state to decriminalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.

On November 4, 2014, Florida citizens will be tasked with voting on an additional medical marijuana bill, titled “Use of Marijuana for Certain Medical Conditions.” The “Use of Marijuana for Certain Medical Conditions” bill’s language leaves a lot of room for interpretation. The bill does not specifically list which conditions would qualify a patient to use marijuana. Florida citizens are debating whether the language of the bill is clearly stated or ambiguous. Opponents argue that the bill hides the fact that almost anyone can gain access to marijuana. Advocates argue the language is clear and understandable. This Comment examines the language’s bill, but is limited in scope: it examines only the bill’s most controversial language in the bill and its potential interpretations.

Keywords: Florida medical marijuana, Florida, marijuana, medical marijuana, Use of Marijuana for Certain Medical Conditions, Cannabis, Compassionate Use of THC Cannabis