December 2014

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ZAZA’S

SHOULD MARIJUANA BE LEGAL?

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hilights lights Volume 63 ß

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Two writers argue whether medical marijuana should be legalized or not

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[ OPINION, page 3

for students, by students Issue 3 Friday, December 12, 2014 ß hilights.org

Marijuana’s future looks By NATALIE DISLA AND MONIQUE MAHABIR In the most recent elections, 58 percent of Floridians voted for Amendment 2, the legalization of medical marijuana. With 2 percent more votes, the bill would have passed, reaching the necessary majority vote of 60 percent. The legalization of medical marijuana is the subject of controversy within the Sunshine State with its heart-strong supporters and adamant opposers. If passed, Florida would have been the 23rd state to legalize the drug for medicinal purposes. Attributing to the controversy is the lack of research on the benefits and risks of the plant. Opponents criticize that Amendment 2 was vaguely written and can potentially lead to recreational use of the drug. They also are concerned about the threats it may pose with marijuana’s symptoms of dizziness, memory loss and delusion. “The whole medical marijuana practice is very new to me, there have been studies performed that substantiate treatment with tetrahydrocannabinol, but a lot of that research in non-conclusive; the states are rushing to legalize medical marijuana and not waiting for science,” Dr. Jorge Sanchez, MD, said. “I’m neither for nor against it. If the legislature were to legalize it, then I would say ok, but I don’t really have any interest in implementing this in my practice.” Amendment 2 differs from the already legalized strain of marijuana, Charlotte’s Web, which contains a low level of tetrahydrocannabinol. THC gives marijuana users a high, delusional sensation. Amendment 2 would legalize all medical marijuana. If passed, a prescription would not be required to obtain medicinal marijuana and non-medically trained “care-givers” would be allowed to administer the medication, making it easier for citizens to abuse the drug. However, when considering the plant’s potential to aid the pain a patient must endure when fighting a deadly disease, medical marijuana may be passed in the future. This would please cancer patients and their families. “It is absolutely horrible that medical marijuana is not legalized when it can be used for those who are paraplegic, have chronic pains, and seizures; [people who voted against the legalization of medical marijuana] have done a great disservice to those with disabilities,” Urena Alvarez, a retired nurse and breast cancer survivor, said. Junior Caroline Dike’s grandmother is battling breast cancer and her current medication has irritating side effects, such as nausea and fatigue. Dike’s grandmother has struggled with breast cancer for since Dike was young. “Medical marijuana has proven to be a successful pain reliever for some cancer patients, so I want that option to be open for her,” Dike said. Even though medical marijuana did not pass in 2014, the debate is not over. According to the Orlando Sentinel, John Morgan, of Morgan & Morgan, vowed to make another state referendum in hopes of legalizing the medicinal use of cannabis.

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BROTHERLY LOVE. Junior Rosanny Tejeda stands with her brother, Rafael. “When he gets home, we’re planning on throwing a homecoming party,” Tejeda said. Tejeda’s brother, who is in an Air Force tech school, has been in Texas for three months.

INDEX opinion campus & local features

Editor’s Note: Hilights attempted to contact several congressmen and doctors within the state for this article, asking their opinion on Amendment 2 and the legalization of medical marijuana. They declined due to the controversy and sensitivity of the subject.

Families welcome soldiers home By RYAN LINTON Every holiday season, families anxiously wait for a military family member or friend to come home. Over 30,00 troops have come home from Afghanistan, but many troops are stationed elsewhere for the holidays. One example is junior Rosanny Tejeda’s brother, Rafael, who graduated Boone in 2012. photo courtesy/ROSANNY TEJEDA

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