If Amendment 3 is approved, the direction of medical marijuana in Florida could undergo significant changes, potentially placing it in the hands of lawmakers. Tom and Anita Unrath are part of the over 882,000 Floridians who depend on medical marijuana, primarily utilizing creams and edibles rather than smoking. These products provide essential relief from pain, but the Unraths now face uncertainty regarding their medical marijuana cards.
How Amendment 3 Could Affect Medical Marijuana Users
With recreational marijuana set to be legalized for individuals aged 21 and older, patients with medical marijuana cards must reconsider their options. Currently, the annual fee for maintaining a medical card is $75, along with required doctor visits every seven months, which can add up to over $400 each year. The passing of Amendment 3 might disrupt Florida's highly regulated medical marijuana market, especially since leading companies like Trulieve and Curaleaf support the amendment, seeking to profit from the expanding recreational market.
Currently, 2,396 doctors in Florida are authorized to prescribe medical marijuana to 882,438 patients. Many individuals, including the Unraths, are apprehensive about how the implementation of the amendment could affect their access to medical marijuana. For example, a high tax on recreational marijuana might encourage some patients to keep their medical cards to avoid additional expenses.
Tom Unrath, a retired Air Force chaplain, finds relief from his multiple sclerosis through cannabis-infused soft chews, which he believes greatly enhance his quality of life. His wife, Anita, has also seen improvements, as she has stopped taking two prescription medications for her nerve pain thanks to medical marijuana products.
Industry experts, such as Aaron Bloom, CEO of DocMJ, emphasize that while most surveyed patients support Amendment 3, there are concerns about maintaining affordable access to their preferred products. They worry that the focus might shift toward higher THC products catering to recreational users, neglecting the needs of medical patients.
As the legislative landscape evolves, the future of medical marijuana will hinge on lawmakers’ ability to safeguard patient interests while adapting to the new recreational market. Given the potential for significant financial benefits, it is essential that the concerns of medical marijuana patients continue to be a priority during this transition.
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