Democratic National Committee chairwoman and Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is taking heat from activists over her failure to vote for the Rohrbacher-Farr Amendment and her lack of support for the state's medical-marijuana initiative.
"I have concerns that it is written too broadly and stops short of ensuring strong regulatory oversight from state officials," Wasserman Schultz said in a statement about Amendment 2. "Other states have shown that lax oversight and ease of access to prescriptions can lead to abuse, fraud and accidents. Also, given Florida's recent history in combating the epidemic of 'pill mills' and dubious distinction as having among the highest incidents of fraud, I do not believe we should make it easier for those seeking to abuse the drug to have easy access to it."
Instead, Wasserman Schultz prefers the limited-use CBD oil legislation that has been sent to Gov. Rick Scott for his signature. "I am supportive of evidence-based medical marijuana treatment, such as in the case of controlling epileptic seizures in children and easing cancer pain with a low-THC tablet form of the drug," she added.
This is surprising since Wasserman Schultz herself is a breast cancer survivor. "I am acutely empathetic to the suffering of people with terminal illnesses and chronic pain," Wasserman Schultz explained. "My view is that approval of the use of marijuana as a medical treatment should be handled responsibly and in a regulated manner that ensures its approval does not do more harm than good.”
So why did she vote against the Rohrbacher-Farr Amemdment, which would stop the federal government from cracking down in states where medical marijuana is legal? "I do not believe, regardless of the issue, that it is appropriate to limit the Executive Branch’s ability to enforce current federal law at their discretion," she offered.
Wasserman Schultz was one of 17 Democrats, joining 172 Republicans, who registered no votes. Meanwhile, 49 Republicans voted in favor. The final tally was 219-189 for the amendment.
In November, Floridians will be able to vote on Amendment 2. The ballot initiative's biggest financial backer, John Morgan, blasted Wasserman Schultz: "Why she’s trying to undermine this amendment I don’t know. But I’ll tell you I will never give a penny or raise a penny for the national party while she’s in leadership. And I have given and helped raise millions.”
