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Pot takes center stage at UT debate

 
Attorney John Morgan, left, argues with Eric Voth and Devin Sabet, right, during Monday’s debate for the legalization of medical marijuana at the University of Tampa.
James Borchuck/tbt*
Attorney John Morgan, left, argues with Eric Voth and Devin Sabet, right, during Monday’s debate for the legalization of medical marijuana at the University of Tampa. James Borchuck/tbt*
Published Feb. 25, 2014

Marijuana is not medicine, Dr. Eric Voth noted Monday night. Doctors cannot control the dose or its possibly toxic side effects, the internist told an audience at the University of Tampa gathered for a debate over medical marijuana.

If it were called "Substance X," any doctor who told a patient to smoke it until they felt better would be committing malpractice, he said.

Orlando attorney John Morgan took up the counterpoint, arguing that marijuana is a natural substance that can ease suffering for hundreds of thousands of Floridians.

"I don't know why it works but it does,'' Morgan said. "I don't know why water works either, but I trust it.''

Those contrary views represented early salvos as the campaign to legalize medical marijuana in Florida shifts from petition gathering to voter persuasion.

Morgan, who spent about $4 million to get a constitutional amendment on the November election ballot, has become the dominant public face of medical marijuana in Florida. Also arguing in favor was Allen St. Pierre, executive director of NORML, which has long advocated for full legalization of recreational pot.

Polls show that Floridians strongly favor medical marijuana but oppose full legalization. Morgan usually tries to distance himself from the likes of NORML.

On Monday, beneath the glare of TV cameras, Morgan nearly recoiled when St. Pierre introduced himself.

"I'm on your side,'' St. Pierre said.

"You're on my side?'' Morgan responded. "You are for legalization.''

"Don't worry. We won't get into that much,'' said St. Pierre.

But Voth, chairman of the Institute on Global Drug Policy, a subsidiary of St. Petersburg's Drug Free America Foundation, was only too glad to raise the specter of legalization, referring frequently to the "drug lobby'' and "special interests.''

"Make no mistake,'' Voth told the crowd of about 300, "The end game is legalization.''

The proposed amendment would allow people with chronic debilitating conditions to use marijuana if a licensed doctor recommends it in writing. The pot would be sold at state regulated dispensaries.

Kevin Sabet, director of the Institute on Drug Policy at the University of Florida, joined Voth in arguing against the amendment, saying it is too loosely drawn.

St. Pierre predicted that the amendment, which would require a 60 percent or better vote to pass, is a done deal. "This is about personal freedom and self preservation,'' he told a mostly appreciative crowd.