Are Pot-Smokers Cruel To Their Children?

In Florida, the Agency that has the power to take your kids has a lot to answer for...

Apr 18, 2025

In 1972, an anonymous Senator saddled the McGovern campaign with the catchy phrase - “marijuana, amnesty and abortion,” which Nixonians would later rework to the even stickier “acid, amnesty, and abortion.” There is a lot more to that story but that we will save for another time. For now, let’s talk Weed. The Devil’s Lettuce.

First, “cannabis" and "marijuana" are both correct. Cannabis is the scientific name for the plant genus that includes various species, including Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. It is usually used in legal and medical settings because encompasses all forms and varieties of the plant, including hemp and marijuana. Marijuana is used to refer specifically to the psychoactive forms of cannabis that are typically cultivated for recreational or medicinal use.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis (Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica). Scientifically, THC is classified as a cannabinoid, a type of chemical compound that interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system. I’m no doctor but I am told the endocannabinoid system controls pain, appetite, digestion, mood, emotions immune functions, and sleep. So it sounds kinda important to me.

THC primarily exerts its effects by binding to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and central nervous system, particularly CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptor is primarily located in the brain and is responsible for the psychoactive effects associated with THC, such as euphoria, relaxation, and altered sensory perception. The CB2 receptor is more associated with immune system regulation and does not directly contribute to the psychoactive effects.

This is why states like Florida have legalized cannabis for therapeutic use in support of people suffering from things like chronic pain, nausea from chemotherapy, appetite stimulation in HIV/AIDS patients, and even in specific neurological disorders.

WTAF IS GOING ON AT HOPE FLORIDA?

Chill bro. We’re getting to that.

But first a little more about cannabis. In colonial America, hemp, a variety of the cannabis plant, was widely cultivated for its fiber, which was used to make ropes, textiles, and paper. By the 19th century, cannabis extracts were commonly utilized in medicinal formulations and were included in various pharmaceutical products. It wasn't until the early 20th century that perceptions of cannabis began to shift.

Prohibitionists were concerned about people getting high while bigots were concerned specifically about immigrants getting high. Sound familiar?

In 1937, Congress passed the Marihuana Tax Act, which imposed strict regulations and heavy taxes on its sale, distribution, and use. The self-righteous of the day used propaganda campaigns to link marijuana with moral decay. Sound familiar?

By the tons it is coming into this country — the deadly, dreadful poison that racks and tears not only the body, but the very heart and soul of every human being who once becomes a slave to it in any of its cruel and devastating forms. ... Marihuana is a short cut to the insane asylum. Smoke marihuana cigarettes for a month and what was once your brain will be nothing but a storehouse of horrid specters. Hasheesh makes a murderer who kills for the love of killing out of the mildest mannered man who ever laughed at the idea that any habit could ever get him…

Harry Anslinger, Commissioner, Federal Bureau of Narcotic

In the 1970s, Nixon moved to marijuana to a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. The federal government declared that it had a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. That led to widespread arrests and incarceration that disproportionately affected minorities. Sound familiar?

In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical marijuana. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational marijuana. In 2024, Floridians entertained Amendment 3 to legalize recreational marijuana. Fifty-six (56) percent of voters said “hell yah,” but constitutional amendments require sixty (60) percent. So, as of today, only people medically authorized to use marijuana can legally use marijuana.

Okay, Now We Get To Hope Florida?

If you don’t live in Florida, you probably have no idea what Hope Florida is. You’re in luck. I wrote about it a year ago. I focused on the big questions of data, privacy, and proselyting. What I didn’t dream of was that the overseeing agency, Florida Department of Children and Families had done almost nothing to legalize the direct support organization known as the Hope Florida Foundation.

And because they hadn’t compiled with state or federal laws governing charitable organizations, I certainly didn’t know that there was questions about a potentially illegal scheme to move $10.0 of a $67.0 dollar settlement from an overbilling of Medicaid to Hope Florida. And, until just a few days ago, no one outside of a very tight circle knew that, that $10.0 million would flow through two other organizations and then be further subdivided into Anti-Amendment 3 campaigns and into the Political Action Committee (PAC) controlled by the campaign manager for Ron DeSantis for President with unspent funds rolled over to a PAC controlled by Ron himself. As they say, Floriduh.

But Wait, There’s More

According to the Articles of Incorporation for the Hope Florida Foundation, the organization is limited to “preventing cruelty to children.”

That’s it. That’s all they legally endeavor to do. So, here’s my big question.

If they can only prevent cruelty to children and if they awarded $10.0 to defeat Amendment 3; does that mean that the DeSantis Administration believe that Floridians who use marijuana are visiting cruelty upon their children?

P.S. Also, this week, the Florida Legislator unanimously approved medical marijuana cards for Veterans. So, the answer to the above is kinda important less military Vets statewide are at risk of a visit from Florida Children and Families for cruelty to children investigations.

P.P.S The Florida Department of Health tracks data on who has medical marijuana cards. Should those folks be worried too?