By Monterey Bud
Vastly more popular than either presidential candidate, Florida’s Amendment 2 has cultivated the critical endorsement of more than 100 physicians and medical professionals, according to United for Care.
Missing with 57% of the vote in 2014, when 60% was required to pass an amendment, Florida’s voters are ready to take another bite at the federally forbidden fruit of whole plant medicinal cannabis. Enjoying elevated support, Amendment 2 would guarantee state sanctioned patients the following rights:
- “Any card-carrying medical marijuana patient in the state of Florida, or their personal caregiver, would be exempt from criminal or civil liability under Florida law.”
- “Licensed doctors would not be subject to criminal or civil liability or sanctions for issuing medical marijuana to a person diagnosed with “debilitating medical conditions” under state law.”
- “Dispensaries and collectives, a.k.a. registered medical marijuana treatment centers, would be lawful and omitted from any criminal or civil liability or sanctions under Florida law.”
Medical Professionals Who Support Florida’s Amendment 2
Allowed for the holistic healing of the following conditions, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease, ALS, PTSD, HIV-AIDS, Glaucoma, Epilepsy, and the ravages brought about by cancer, Amendment 2 has earned some rather thoughtful endorsements. Covering a broad medical spectrum of Florida’s professional healthcare providers, Amendment 2 has won the endorsement of neurological specialists, oncology professionals, and pediatricians from West Palm Beach to St. Petersburg.
- Andrew E. Hano, DO., St Petersburg, Hematology-Oncology
- Anthony J. Hall, MDCM, FACS, FAANS., Lauderhill, Neurological Surgery
- Richard Sabates, Delray Beach, Family medicine and pain management
- Jose Foradada, Tampa, Pediatric Neurology Specialist
- David Duncan, Cape Coral, Paramedic
- Jose A. Colindres, Broward/Palm Beach County, Pediatrician and Neonatologist
- Abner Martin Landry III, Largo, MD, FACR, Interventional Pain Specialist
- Ashley Lair RN, BSN., New Port Richey
- Jeffrey Kamlet, MD., Miami, Addiction Specialist
- Bernard Cantor, MD., Weston, Gynecology and Obstetrics (retired)
- Selim Benbadis, Tampa, Neurologist and Neurosurgeon
- Gregory Gerdeman, PhD., St Pete, Biology and Pharmacology
- Juan Sanchez-Ramos, Tampa, Neurologist
- Anne Morgan, MD., Palm Beach Gardens, Family Medicine
- Clifford Selsky, Ph.D., MD., Orlando, Palliative Care Pediatrician and Pediatric Oncology and Hematology
- Jeffrey Milley, St. Pete Beach, Registered Pharmacist
- Joseph Rosado, MD., Sanford, Primary Care Physician
- Kathryn Limper, Tampa, RN BSN
- Sasha Parker, Fort Lauderdale, Nurse
- Nicole Tracey, Fort Myers, RN OCN
- John H. Merey, MD., West Palm Beach, Ophthalmologist
- Ray Bellamy, MD., Tallahassee, Orthopedic Surgeon
- Carol L. Roberts, MD., Tampa, Integrative Medicine ABIHM
- Stephen Blythe, Melbourne, Family Physician
- Kathryn Lotspeich Villano, MD., Miami, Internal Medicine (retired)
- Jason Sturtsman,Vero Beach, B.A.E., Ed.S., School Psychologist
- César Rexach, Kissimmee, RN, MSN., Health Care Education
- Silvia Betancor, MD., Miami, Internal medicine
- Brenda Valdez, Live Oak, RN, Home Health
- Luis Galano-Lavin, Palm Coast, Family Medicine/Urgent Care
- Maria McConchie, Fort Lauderdale, Nurse Anesthetist
- Debbie Johnson, Orlando, RN, CHPN, Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse, Education
- Caroline Faxas, Hallandale, Board Certified Acupuncture Physician, Herbalist
- Tracy Christian, Palm Beach, Compounding Pharmacist, Pharmacy Owner
- Robert H Dudley, MD., Delray Beach, palliative and hospice care
- Ike Okeke, Tampa, Pharmacist
- Tammy Lettieri, Deerfield Beach,Physical Therapist
- Jonathan King, Jacksonville, RN
- Michelle Weiner, DO, MPH., Hollywood, Interventional Pain management / physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Megan King, Jacksonville , RN
- Lisa Otero, Altamonte Springs , RN
- Jeanne DeSilver, Jacksonville, RN Retired
- David Berger, MD., FAAP., Pediatrician, Owner and Medical Director, Wholistic Pediatrics and Family Care
- Elsie Eten, Safety Harbor, RN Retired
- Linda Claassen, Deland, Hospice RN
- Michael Bean, Melbourne, RN, CEN
- Michelle Lynn Collier, PharmD, RPh, Winter Garden, Clinical Pharmacist
- Michael Dziubek, Sarasota, RN
- Terri P. Kelly, Tarpon Springs, RN, Oncology Research Auditor
- James F. Jones, Amelia Island, Acupuncture Physician
- Diane Loo, Miami, RN, Certified Wound Care Nurse
- Dennis Howard, Venice, Retired RN 03’, Critical Care Nurse
- Shannon Perez, Coral Gables, RN, Critical Care Nurse
- Marty Landy, Largo, MD FACR
- Patrick Criss, Kennesaw, GA., D.C., B.S. (Licensed in Florida and Georgia)
- Richard Bolin, Eustis, ER RN
- Anthony M. Walker, Hollywood, R.N.
- Don Vliegenthart, Melbourne, Nonoperative Orthopedics, and Pain Management
- Clyde Pence, Pensacola, Nephrologist
- Robert V. Siegel, Fort Walton Beach, General Physician
- Kathaleen Davis, Ft. Myers, Psychiatric Nurse, Certified Hospice and Wound Care
- Leonarda Duran,MD, Miami, Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist
- J.D. Gold, PhD., Summerfield, Clinical Psychologist
- Scott Nations, Largo, Registered ER Nurse
- Elizabeth Kostelnick, Crystal River, RN
- Ralph Rophie, MD., Clearwater, Family Medicine, Certified Cannabis Clinician
- Geena Palank, Stuart, RN BSN
- Michelle Backus, Sebring, RN
- Sasha Parker, Fort Lauderdale, RN/Educational Director Esthetic Skin Institute
- Liva Jacobs, Miami, RN
- Joy S. Graham, MD., Palm Beach Gardens, Anesthesiologist
- Alisa Fuller, Orlanda, RN BSN
- Maria Medina-Capote, MD., Miami, pediatrician
- Jerry Capote, MD., Miami, pediatrician
- Shannon Carnley, Bartow, RN
- Justin Sellers, Orlando, Radiologic Technologist, CT Scan and MRI Certified
- Cesar Rexach, Kissimmee, Retired RN MSN
- Andrew Margileth, Miami, Pediatric Dermatologist
- Charles Montgomery, Lakeland, RN
- Steven Bowman, Clearwater, MD of Internal Medicine
- Donna Lahey, Marathon, Clinical Laboratory Technologist
- Barry Apfel, Boca Raton, Registered Pharmacist
- Jonathan Daitch, MD., Fort Myers, Pain Management
- Rachel Bjornstad, Pensacola, Medical Technologist
- Nancy Barstow, Venice, RN
- Lawrence Schiffman, DO., FAOCD., Doral, Dermatology
- John W. Pate, Fountain, RN
- Tina McBride, Punta Gorda, RN
- Jim Funk, Gainesville, ARNP (retired)
- Andrew Sutherland, Orlando, Doctor of Chiropractics
- Pam Pirraglia, RN, CCM, CDMS; Nurse Case Manager
- Purvin Shah, DO, Jacksonville, Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine & Critical Care Medicine
- Stephanie Smithgall, Callahan, RN
- Cyndi Christine, Port Orange, RN (retired)
- Yolanda C. Leon, Psy.D., ABPdN – Tampa/Gainesville, Neuropsychologist, Clinical Psychologist, School Psychologist, Pediatric Neuropsychology
- Justin Davis, M.D., Gainesville, Family Practice, Alternative, and Integrative Medicine
- Tricia Gibbs, Sarasota, Medical assistant
- Eyad Alsabbag, M.D., Brooksville, Pain management
- Bill Hadley, Tampa, RN
- Valerie Pasqualini, Del Ray, RN and Risk Manager
- Peter A. Radice, MD, FACP, FAAHPM., Tampa, Supportive Oncology, Palliative Care
- Michael Uphues, DO, Naples, Family Medicine
- Linda Colindres, St. Pete, RN
- Bruce Alperstein, MD., Milton, Internal Medicine
