The debate over medical marijuana is heating back up in Florida. State health officials recently selected five places to grow, process and distribute non-euphoric medical marijuana for a select group of sick patients. Many people locally continue to reap the benefits of medical marijuana.
"When she has it she's better, when she doesn't have it she starts getting sick," said Bob Jordan, a supporter of medical marijuana.
Back in 1986 Jordan's wife Kathy was diagnosed with ALS also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Smoking medical marijuana daily or cannabis as the Jordan's call it, has made a big difference in her life.
Years ago Kathy Jordan was given 3 to 5 years to live, 30 years later she's still going strong.
"It relaxes my muscles and helps keep my lungs clear," said Kathy Jordan, "that's why I insist on smoking it."
Rick Weigand is still coping with serious injuries he suffered in a motorcycle crash back in 1975. After eating 3 to 4 pieces of candy filled with cannabis daily, he says he feels like a new person.
"My pain levels are down to manageable," said Weigand, "am I pain-free no, will I ever be no...I'm grateful for where it is, I don't have the side effects, I have an appetite."
Now that these five businesses have been given the green light from the state, they must dispense the non-euphoric medical marijuana within 210 days, meaning it could be available within the next year.
Opponents of medical marijuana say that it is too dangerous to use and it lacks FDA-approval. Bob Jordan says that he has the answer that would solve a lot of problems.
"Just flat out legalize it, that would stop all this medical stuff," said Jordan.
