Three constitutional amendments dealing with land conservation, medical marijuana and judicial appointments are on the Nov. 4 election ballot.
Attorney Richard Coen and his wife, Joanne, president of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters, discussed the amendments Monday during a meeting of The Villages Civil Discourse Club at Colony Cottage Recreation Center. The presentation will be repeated at 10 a.m. next Monday at the Savannah Center.
The amendments are:
• A requirement that 33 percent of the documentary stamp tax from real estate transactions be used for the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to acquire and maintain natural areas.
• Allowing individuals with debilitating diseases or conditions to use medical marijuana;
• Allowing an outgoing governor instead of an incoming governor to make judicial appointments.
Richard Coen said the League of Women Voters, a non-partisan organization, supports the land conservation amendment, opposes the judicial appointment amendment and has not taken a position on medical marijuana. A 60 percent majority of participating voters is required for approval of each measure.
Coen said the land conservation amendment would restore funding to the trust that was removed in 2009 due to the economic downturn. It would set aside $648 million the first year and an estimated $1.2 billion in 20 years, when it expires.
He said the judicial appointment amendment could affect Gov. Rick Scott, if he is re-elected. Three Florida Supreme Court justices are expected to retire in 2019 and it would mean that Scott, who cannot seek re-election in 2018 due to term limits, could appoint their replacements at the end of his term instead of a new governor.
Coen said the Legislature has been dissatisfied with several Supreme Court decisions, including tossing out that its legislative redistricting plan.
The medical marijuana amendment has stirred the most controversy, Coen said. He said the Florida Department of Health would be charged with developing specific regulations if the amendment passes.
The state already has approved medical use for a strain of non-psychoactive cannabis called Charlotte’s Web, which is used to treat child seizures. That will take effect next year.
A total of 23 states and the District of Columbia currently have laws regulating medical marijuana.
During the discussion period, speakers sharply disagreed on the benefits of the amendment.
Dr. Paul Cirlin, a pediatrician, said the amendment would provide a “wide open door” for marijuana use in the state because its application is so broad.
“This stuff has not been studied by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration),” said Dr. Bob Athanasiou, a practicing physician for 35 years in Florida and upstate New York. “How are they going to set the price for medical marijuana?”
But villager Peter O’Connell said there are few marijuana studies because it remains classified as a narcotic and studying it is illegal. Linda Hobbs said marijuana doesn’t cause nearly as many problems as alcohol, a legal substance
