Lee Memorial comes out against medical pot ... sort of
It's official, Lee Memorial Health System's president and CEO, Jim Nathan, thinks the proposal to legalize medical marijuana is a bad idea.
But the governing board of the public health system, the 10-person body that supervises Nathan and the organization's $1.3 billion budget, refused last week to take a formal stance on Amendment 2.
Nathan spoke out against the proposal during the board's public meeting on Thursday.
Nathan mentioned the example of his son, who lives with chronic pain and has struggled to find medicine that works. But, echoing the oft-repeated talking point of Amendment 2 opponents, he said the measure is too broad.
"I'm extremely sensitive to the fact that we do have examples of peoples' lives who have been enhanced (by marijuana), and they clearly think they've been enhanced, which I'm sure is true, and that's a good thing," Nathan told the board. "But when I look at this as not a bill but an amendment to the Constitution, it's caused me to not be supportive of it."
He brought in two fellow opponents of the measure: Kevin Lewis, CEO of the substance abuse and mental health treatment centers of SalusCare, and Dr. Raymond Kordonowy, president of the Independent Physicians Association of Lee County.
As Nathan put it, the presentation to the board was a bit of a "stacked deck" against Amendment 2. There was no debate of the issue. No pro-Amendment 2 representatives were invited.
Board member Stephen Brown tried to get the board to consider a formal resolution against Amendment 2 but couldn't get a single vote of support.
Don't confuse that with support for the idea. Several board members have individually said they are opposed to the idea. Members just refused, without comment, to vote on that position.
It's worth noting that, despite condemnation from the state's law enforcement and medical establishment, polls have consistently shown that the measure is supported by a large number of Floridians. Still, 60 percent of voters must approve it for passage.
Currently, 23 states and the District of Columbia, allow some form of medical marijuana, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Two states, Colorado and Washington, have legalized its recreational use by adults.
Following up
I wanted to update readers on the latest health news about Ben Westerhouse, the south Fort Myers ALS patient trying to raise his 7-year-old son, Benny, as the 40-year-old's health deteriorates.
Friends say Westerhouse has been fighting a respiratory infection and now requires full-time medical supervision in a hospice facility. They are now trying to raise enough money to pay for a nurse who can monitor him at home, so he can still live with his son.
"He'd like to be home by Halloween if we can arrange it," said friend and caregiver, Claudia Carrington in an email. "He doesn't want to miss anything concerning lil B."
They are also planning a fundraiser on Nov. 15. For more information about the event or donating, contact The Cottage Beach Bar and Gulfshore Grill at 765-5440.
Compiled by Frank Gluck