Florida Baptists Oppose Amendment to legalize Marijuana

Florida Baptist conventionOn August 26, 2016 the Florida Baptist State Board of Missions voted to continue its stance against the legalization of marijuana and encouraged the pastors of the Florida Baptist Convention to seek various information resources to help educate their churches in the importance of voting No on Amendment 2.

Last time this was on the ballot in 2014, the State Board expressed this opposition in the form of a resolution. Since a resolution was made last time, it was not felt another resolution was needed this time, but simply the statement opposing legalizing marijuana and the encouragement to pastors to educate their people on the importance of defeating this ballot initiative amending the Florida Constitution.

The following is the full text of the resolution passed in 2014:

RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE THE LEGALIZATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA

WHEREAS, the November 4, 2014, General Election ballot will contain Amendment 2 – the so-called Florida Right to Medical Marijuana; and

WHEREAS, the ballot initiative seeks to permit persons with nine specific medical conditions to have unlimited access to medical marijuana; and

WHEREAS, the Amendment also provides that medical marijuana can be dispensed without a physician’s prescription for broad but undefined “other conditions” which can include anything from back pain to trouble sleeping; and

WHEREAS, so-called caregivers will be legally permitted to dispense the drug to up to five persons without legal regulation; and a caregiver can be anyone from a felon to a drug dealer; and

WHEREAS, the State Board of Missions has individual and corporate empathy for those Floridians suffering from debilitating diseases, but the Board does not believe legalizing an addictive drug without strong regulatory oversight is an appropriate solution; and

WHEREAS, the effort to legalize marijuana is contrary to the interests of the public health, safety and welfare, and will adversely affect the rights of citizens to live and work in a community where drug abuse is not accepted and citizens are not subjected to the adverse effects of the drug abuse; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED that the State Board of Missions of the Florida Baptist State Convention, go on record to oppose Amendment 2 that will appear on the November 4, 2014, General Election ballot; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board call upon Florida Baptist pastors to diligently encourage their church members to promote and vote to defeat Amendment 2; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Board request the Executive Director-Treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention, to take all reasonable actions to notify and create awareness among Florida Baptists on the importance of voting against Amendment 2.

RELATED ARTICLE: If You’re On the Fence About Your Vote, This Pastor Clarifies How the Very Future of America Is At Stake by JIM GARLOW/SKYLINE CHURCH, SAN DIEGO

3 replies
  1. Bill
    Bill says:

    The biggest proponent of the law is John Morgan which gives me pause to caution. It seems to me that pharmaceutical companies can easily extract the THC from marijuana and it can be administered by pill. However, it sounds there’s a group of growers line up with representation needs. Also, if you look at the states legalized for medical use, the largest part of the population that use it are younger people that suddenly developed a medical need. Nominal if any, for serious illnesses, like cancer. And that has created a new set of crimes and problems. I know to many people that use it for recreation and/or have addiction and are rooting for it. If approved for medical reason, they would suddenly develop some medical need.

    Reply
    • Dr. Rich Swier
      Dr. Rich Swier says:

      Florida already has approved several THC based medications. These are in pill form and can legally be used in the Sunshine State by those who need it, with a doctors prescription.

      Additionally, individuals may grow marijuana for personal use only, again with a doctors approval in Florida. There is no need for Amendment 2 at all.

      Amendment 2 has only one purpose, to make marijuana available for recreational use.

      Reply
      • William Miranda
        William Miranda says:

        I was not aware of it. That was exactly my point and the fact that John Morgan is advertising for it made me suspicious. I know, not politically correct for my suspicion. So be it.

        Reply

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