Pubdate: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 Source: Tampa Bay Times (FL) Copyright: 2014 St. Petersburg Times Contact: http://www.sptimes.com/letters/ Website: http://www.tampabay.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419 Author: M. McGlone EASE THE SUFFERING I am shocked by the recommendation made by this newspaper on Amendment 2. It is my understanding of the proposal that it was definitive for certain diseases but was purposely left open for the Legislature and the Florida Department of Health to enact strict guidelines in its implementation and the inclusion of all other medical conditions. I am sorry that our lawmakers and civilian employees may have to do their jobs and act because, as your opinion states, 'there has been no other viable alternative' except 'through a constitutional amendment.' I am one of those people suffering with one of the eight debilitating diseases listed. My chronic pain would be better served by marijuana usage instead of my steadily increasing cocktail of medications. Instead of big business getting richer through the ever-increasing cost of medicines that are addictive and more harmful to the body than marijuana, it is time to listen to the people of this state, not the pharmaceutical lobbyists. Vote yes on Amendment 2 and ease my suffering and that of countless other Floridians. M. McGlone, Tampa - --- MAP posted-by: Richard