DeSantis’ Misuse of Medical Marijuana Patient Data: A Bold Overreach

Florida’s medical marijuana community got an unexpected and unwelcome surprise recently. In a move that has left patients fuming, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration sent out a blast email to the state’s 700,000 medical marijuana patients, ostensibly praising his budget achievements. The kicker? The email had nothing to do with medical marijuana, and everything to do with promoting DeSantis’ political agenda.

The Unwanted Email

The Department of Health, without any mention of medical marijuana, sent out an email to patients extolling the virtues of DeSantis’ latest budget, which includes cancer research initiatives and other health programs. Not a single word about medical marijuana, leaving patients and advocates feeling violated and used.

Privacy Concerns and Political Overreach

State Rep. Kelly Skidmore didn’t mince words, calling the move “revolting” and a “misuse of power and information.” The DeSantis administration, however, brushed off the criticism, claiming the email was sent to over 2 million individuals in their database, including health professionals and the media. But that’s not cutting it for many.

Advocates like Jodi James from the Florida Cannabis Action Network highlight the risk this email poses. If someone were to get their hands on this email list, it wouldn’t take a genius to deduce who’s a medical marijuana patient. The ramifications? Potential unwanted marketing, political spam, and even exposure to employers—a nightmare scenario for those seeking privacy.

Hypocrisy and Legal Questions

Ironically, DeSantis has been a vocal critic of Big Tech and its misuse of personal data. Yet here he is, seemingly exploiting a vulnerable group’s information for his political gain. Nikki Fried, the state Democratic Party chair, and former agriculture commissioner, pointed out the blatant irresponsibility, saying she would’ve been “scorched alive” for such a misuse of data.

Personal injury lawyer John Morgan, a key player in Florida’s 2016 medical marijuana effort, raised serious legal concerns. He questioned whether the email violated federal laws protecting medical information, pointing out that this list would be a goldmine for political campaigns, especially those pushing for recreational marijuana legalization in November.

Patient Backlash

Patients are not taking this lying down. One medical marijuana patient in Pensacola mentioned plans to file a formal complaint, drawing a parallel to the outrage if a doctor misused patient information. There’s a growing call for accountability and for someone to be held responsible for this blatant overreach.

The Bottom Line

DeSantis’ move to use the medical marijuana patient list for political promotion is not just a gross misuse of power—it’s a serious violation of privacy that has left many feeling betrayed and outraged. This is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a breach of trust that underscores the need for stringent protections around personal medical information.

As the backlash grows, it’s clear that the fight for privacy and respect in Florida’s medical marijuana community is far from over.

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