Publix heiress donates $800k to fight medical marijuana legislation

[Garion_55]

Source: http://www.palmbeachpost.com

The family behind grocery store chain Publix has donated thousands of dollars to a campaign fighting medical marijuana legislation in Florida, records show.

The Miami New Times reports the Carol Jenkins Barnett Family Trust donated $800,000 to Drug Free Florida on July 14, which is a group running a campaign to kill the medical marijuana amendments in the state. According to Time, the group opposes Amendment 2, which would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to patients for “certain debilitating illnesses.”

“Carol Jenkins Barnett has long supported efforts to protect Florida’s families and children against the perils of drug abuse. As such, she feels that Amendment 2 would usher in an unprecedented era of legalized marijuana in Florida as opposed to only helping those who suffer from debilitating illnesses,” Publix said in a statement to TIME. “It is her desire to maintain the health and welfare of Floridians. For this reason, she contributed to Drug Free Florida, which is dedicated to educating the public on the dangerous consequences contained in this ballot initiative.”

The Miami New Times reports Ben Pollara, campaign manager for United for Care, which is a campaign in favor of the amendment, said Jenkins is “wasting her money” and “it isn’t time for potheads to get up in arms and boycott Publix just yet.

Read more: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional/publix-heiress-donates-800k-fight-medical-marijuan/nr5xH/

---

seriously if you shop at one of these places. stop. let publix know that they suck ass


https://www.facebook.com/publix/

[63splitwindow]

1. ANYONE standing between a needing patient and a compassionate doctor can go straight to hell. nt

[geardaddy]

13. This ^^

[Initech]

65. [phone]

[avaistheone1]

70. You've got an Amen to that.

[MADem]

2. Why do so many stupid people enjoy such wealth?

I'm thinking how many school breakfasts and lunches, and "weekend backpacks" for kids in underserved zip codes that kinda money could buy....

[Warpy]

20. Money, given too young, makes them ignorant

Why bother to learn anything? You can pay people to tell you what you need to know when you need to know it.

If you're a bluenosed moralist, it just adds to the completely mind boggling ignorance because nobody can tell a bluenosed moralist anything. They know what's best for everybody...else.

[MADem]

21. LOL--that last line is priceless (and true). nt

[billhicks76]

32. She Sells Pharmaceuticals

Kids OD on them daily. She has killed thousands of children. That's just a fact. There's not one recorded OD of marijuana in human history. It's 100% non-toxic. Safer than herbal tea and water.

[MADem]

58. Well, of course.

It's really hard to "OD" on a plant that hasn't been sharply modified from its natural state. The opium from poppies will put you to sleep before you kill yourself, and you would have to chew a shitload of coca leaves to get anything more than a boost to your metabolism--unlike doing coke or crack.

"Stick to things that grow from the ground" is usually pretty good advice.

I don't knock pharmaceuticals entirely--they can kick cancer's ass and knock down infections. But I don't think there needs to be a war between natural remedies--and weed is one of those--and useful laboratory-produced medications. Trying to create such a war suggests that someone has a share of the market, and it's more about maintaining share than caring about people.

[billhicks76]

67. And Many Plants Are Actually Toxic

But Cannabis isn't one of them.It's literally a gift from God as it heals more things than any other substance on earth. And it's fiber has multiple uses. Check out the recent articles on it's DNA...extraterrestrial origin that ended up here on meteorites.

[MADem]

69. Well, of course--there are poisons in nature.

And, interestingly enough, some "poisonous" plants will kill or sicken some of earth's citizens while others have no problem--don't feed your dog garlic, grapes or chocolate, for example, but you can enjoy these things.

[romanic]

3. Interesting.

I guess Publix has some kind of stake in prescip pills then?

[Garion_55]

5. yes!!!!!!!! bingo!!!!!! you got it!!! 100%!

crazily enough this company sells prescription drugs, alcohol and cigarettes in their stores.



the REAL reason they are fighting this is because states with legal pot are seeing a big drop in prescription drug sales. its all about the money.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

17. And alcohol sales...

... I have noticed it for over a decade. When the area is dry, booze and beer flies off the shelves at the corner stores. And vice versa.

[womanofthehills]

56. Medical marijuana saved Medicare $165 million in states with medical cannabis

[MADem]

23. I actually have a PUBLIX grocery card.

I travel around on occasion, and I pick up the grocery cards at different stores because they offer the discount on the groceries and I find it cheaper to eat from grocery stores as opposed to spending a king's ransom on fast food or restaurants. I seem to remember the place as pricey. I gotta say, food prices in MA are more affordable than a lot of places in the country...!

[Heddi]

75. Publix doesn't have cards

Never has.

[OnDoutside]

60. Boycott Publix, take your custom elsewhere.

[Scuba]

4. Pharmacies in the Publix stores would lose revenue with legalization.

[47of74]

10. Wait a second, couldn't her pharmacies fill perscription Mary Jane then?

[Scuba]

12. They'd have more competition, including home growers.

[cannabis_flower]

71. Not with the way Federal law now is.

In states that allow medical marijuana, doctors can only recommend marijuana, they can't write prescriptions. Pharmacies could lose their right to sell narcotics like codeine, Vicodin or Oxycontin.

[47of74]

73. Ok, thank you for the clarification

I didn't know that.

[demmiblue]

6. I wonder what Debbie would say about this. n/t

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

18. Allow me to take this moment to...

... ROFLMAO.

[billhicks76]

33. Florida lol

Debbie pushes the deadly booze on kids. She's sees Cannabis as competition because it's a SAFE alternative.

[cannabis_flower]

72. Another Reason to Hate Debbie Wasserman Schultz: Her War on Medical Marijuana

DNC Chair dopes Florida with opiates despite heroin epidemic, but doesn't endorse drug to soothe suffering cancer victims

Medical marijuana has been a bipartisan issue in Florida for the past several years. In 2014, 58 percent of Floridians voted in favor it—just shy of the 60 percent needed to pass. The same year, Republican Governor Rick Scott signed into law the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act, allowing very limited uses to alleviate pain for cancer patients, Lou Gehrig’s disease, or epilepsy. The bill was co-sponsored by Democrats and Republicans, and many cities and counties across the state have taken measures to decriminalize the drug.

In November 2016, medical marijuana will appear on Florida voters’ ballots once again, and a new medical marijuana bill is headed to Florida’s State Senate this week after being approved in the rules committee. Despite bipartisan support across the state, Florida may not join the 23 other states and Washington, D.C. that have already legalized medical marijuana, due in large part to the efforts of DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

In 2015, Politico reporter Marc Caputo wrote an article revealing Ms. Wasserman Schultz’s correspondence with an Orlando lawyer and medical marijuana proponent named John Morgan. Mr. Morgan alleged Ms. Wasserman Schultz offered to change her stance on medical marijuana if Mr. Morgan retracted negative statements he made to the media about Ms. Wasserman Schultz. “No,” Mr. Morgan told Politico, “she is a bully. I beat bullies up for a living.”

Mr. Morgan, who once donated to Ms. Wasserman Schultz, helped bankroll the failed 2014 medical marijuana initiative, which Ms. Wasserman Schultz criticized—making her an enemy of the bill’s proponents, who are joining the many voices campaigning against her re-election to Congress.

“Almost 58 percent of Florida voters supported medical marijuana and I’d be surprised if that many support her,” Bill Piper, national affairs director with the Washington-based Drug Policy Alliance, told Politico in 2015. “That should be a lesson for Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Florida voters like this policy more than her. And we’ll make sure people know her position.”

http://observer.com/2016/03/more-reason-to-hate-debbie-wasserman-schultz-her-ridiculous-war-on-medical-marijuana/

[randr]

7. Do they have pharmacys in their outlets

Here in Colorado one of the consequences of legalization is a significant drop in prescription sales of pain killers. If Publix is selling pain medications they are already drug dealers and the reason they would fight legal medical marijuana is purely economics.

[edhopper]

9. Yes

follow the money.

[randr]

16. One of the largest sources of profits for pharmacies is the sales of pain pills

Most of which are synthetic opiates and almost identical to heroin. The addiction to this family of drugs is a serious national issue and they are in all meaning of the word, heroin dealers supplying their addicts.
To fight a medicinal product that is proven to have no side effect, no addictive qualities, and is proven to have outstanding benefits in fighting heroin and other drug addictions is immoral at best.
Just the fact that they would attempt to fight the introduction of another product based on free market enterprise principles is reason enough to boycott their sorry asses.

[mrmpa]

35. Thnk of the number of seniors in Florida..........

of course they sell a lot of pain killers. If my 86 year old mom lived in Florida, she would be buying 120 vicodin a month from a pharmacy. Her prescription in PA costs her $26 a month.

Mom says she would use marijuana only if it were legal. Though I know I could get her some, she says not until it's legal.

[ToxMarz]

8. Hmmmmm. She just stepped down from their board of directors last month because

of early onset Alzheimer’s disease. I wonder if it's really her pulling the strings behind the money. Publix is generally well regarded as a company and employer (I'm heading there shortly)

[snooper2]

14. And from her picture she doesn't look like a complete fucking idiot

http://www.trbimg.com/img-5764625c/turbine/os-publix-carol-jenkins-barnett-alzheimers-20160617

[ToxMarz]

22. Maybe the charitable trust has been co-opted Susan B. Komen Foundation style

[TexasBushwhacker]

25. Susan B Komen Foundation has always been crooked

It was primarily a way for the founder, Nancy Brinker, could pay herself a big fat salary.

[ToxMarz]

40. Yes, but even their criminal organization went off the rails when

they became a conservative action group front and went after Planned Parenthood.

[TexasBushwhacker]

57. True. Before that their biggest sin was putting pink shit everywhere n/t

[Lochloosa]

37. I agree about Publix. I have heard nothing but good from people that work there.

I think your right about it not coming from her. The article states it's from her "trust".

[coffeenap]

11. Ok, Publix,

lobby for permission to sell medical cannabis in your pharmacies. Keep recreational independent.

[Calista241]

15. You'd think Publix would make a killing off of people with the munchies.

TYT had a video the other day where they went on and on about how awesome Publix was.

[GoCubsGo]

19. They have been making it harder and harder for me to want to shop there.

Earlier this year, they eliminated double coupons, with the claim that they were lowering prices to offset the loss of those savings. But, they really didn't. Now, this. Another nail in the coffin of their getting my business.

[RAFisher]

24. It's going to pass. If in a rightwing year it got 58% I don't see how it can't get 60% this year.

You need 60% to pass in Florida. With record low turnout in 2014 it failed with 58%. Currently it's polling between 70%-80%. Publix is everywhere around here. You pick between Walmart and Publix if you want groceries. Winn-Dixie still exists but they are uncommon. In recent years Publix has been buying out the competition.

[jtuck004]

29. It passed in WA state. Ran for 4 years, then they re-wrote the law, just about killed it, and ran

a bunch of farmacies out of business.

The idiots arrested 6 or 8 people a couple weeks ago for delivering medical. I hope they don't call me for jury duty. I have quit finding anyone that represents this state or city credible.

It did absolute wonders for the illegal trade, upped the quality, lowered the price, made it much more accessible. Now they are trying to jam it all up again, and most people are just giving them the finger. As they should.

They should remember there is an election not too far out.

[jtuck004]

26. Like the ignorant politicians of WA state, who really like stepping on little people.

How Washington State Screwed Over Its Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
A Loophole in the Recreational License Application Process Created a Black Market for Dispensary Employee Pay Stubs and Left Longtime Dispensary Operators in the Dust
by Tobias Coughlin-Bogue

On July 1, when the Cannabis Patient Protection Act (SB 5052) took effect, all dispensaries without an I-502 license were forced to shut down, sending many of the state's medical marijuana patients into a panic. Patients worry that the recreational market doesn't have enough medicinal cannabis for their needs and that what is available is not affordable. Many point to the fact that the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) issued only 222 new retail licenses to replace more than 1,500 medical marijuana dispensaries.

But there's another aspect that should trouble patients, though few may know about it. Thanks to a loophole in the state's licensing process, many longtime dispensary operations were shut out of the recreational market. New actors were able to game the system by buying pay stubs from former medical marijuana dispensary employees in order to bolster their applications.

"[The state was] supposed to create new licenses to move over the [medical marijuana] system so that the patients could be served," said John Davis, owner of the Northwest Patient Resource Center, who applied for but did not receive an I-502 license. "That's not what they did. They were just giving licenses to people who were scamming the system."

As a result of SB 5052, which mandated that the medical marijuana market be folded into the recreational one, the WSLCB was instructed to open a new round of retail cannabis licensing and "develop a competitive, merit-based application process that includes, at a minimum, the opportunity for an applicant to demonstrate experience and qualifications in the marijuana industry." Applicants were broken into three levels of priority based on a list of criteria, including whether or not they had operated or were employed by a dispensary before January 1, 2013.

They screwed over many patients, and dozens of shop owners who had been paying employees, rents, and had invested in the community.

On the other hand, after all the plant trading of the past few years, they have invigorated the black market from which they get no revenue. lol. Joe and Jill Blow have much better weed than in the old days.

Worse, they have taught many people that the state is their enemy. Again. Slow-witted bureaucrats.

It's people like them that make the real estate swindler new fans.



Brilliant.

[alittlelark]

27. My best guess is that she is a closet alcoholic.....

Endeavoring to make MJ look bad to make her look good.... Similar to racists with serious personal issues... 'Blame the OTHER'

[Lochloosa]

38. She has early onset Alzheimer's. The money came from her "trust".

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/retail/carol-jenkins-barnett-to-step-down-from-publix-board-due-to-alzheimers/2282447



Jenkins Barnett has helped Publix Super Market Charities donate $25 million to nonprofit organizations each year. Publix Super Market Charities recently donated $250,000 to the OneOrlando fund to support victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando.

Jenkins Barnett has personally contributed and volunteered for groups that support education, children's literacy and the homeless near her home in Polk County.

In Tampa Bay, she and Publix charities have supported the Florida Aquarium, Mote Marine Laboratory and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, among others.

[jtuck004]

51. So the thing that will define her legacy is the pain she brought to people more vulnerable than she.

No better than rotting dog crap. Just another two-bit billionaire bully.

[workinclasszero]

28. What the **** is wrong with these rich IDIOTS?

Do they own stock in Big Pharma or what?

[jalan48]

30. Does anyone know where Hillary stands on the legalization of medical/recreational marijuana?

Thanks.

[packman]

31. Damn, I shop almost exclusively at Publix

And I won't step foot in Wal-mart.

[billhicks76]

34. All Cannabis Needs To Be Recreational And Taken Off Schedule List

Making it schedule 2 would allow only big pharmaceutical companies to research and sell as tightly controlled medicine pushing out all others. It's not a drug it's a harmless healing flower. An herb. We wouldn't allow them to monopolize turmeric or echinecia. Cocaine is schedule 2.

[Aristus]

36. Yeah, don't want to put all those Floridian meth labs out of business...

[geomon666]

39. Damn it. I like Publix too.

They have decent deli deals and BOGO sales. Oh well. I'll stick with Aldi and Winn Dixie.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

41. It's not Publix or the heiress.

It's a trust in her name that is doing this. She is early onset Alzheimer's and is NOT a member of Publix's board of directors.

Publix is a WONDERFUL company. They pay employees well, promote from within, and have quality meat, seafood, produce, and baked goods. Not to mention the deli. They in no way "suck ass".

Oh, and many prescriptions are free in their pharmacy.
http://www.publix.com/pharmacy-wellness/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/free-medication-program

[Garion_55]

44. publix has not denounced the donation.

the corporate line so far has been to support the donation and try to justify it.

until they reverse course and denounce the donation then damn right they suck ass.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

48. She's not a part of the company.

Publix doesn't have to denounce shit.

They're a great company, and the best grocery chain in the south. They in no way "suck ass".

[Garion_55]

54. THEY JUSTIFIED IT!!!

not sure how else to say it.

forget about the fact that they didnt denounce it but they went out of their way to justify it and grant their approval.

they are ok with it.


THEY SUCK SERIOUS (_)o(_)


again do not shop at any of these places until they change their stance.

thank you

[Dr Hobbitstein]

59. I will be shopping there tomorrow.

And I will continue to shop there. They are a good company.

[PersonNumber503602]

64. I wonder who controls the trust.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

43. This woman needs to chill....

[jg10003]

46. For those outside Fla, Publix is a great supermarket and ....

100% employee owned. I'm not sure, but I doubt that the Jenkins family, decedents of the founder, have any connection to the business.

[Garion_55]

55. and as soon as the company says they are against this donation

instead of justifying it so far like they have done, please dont shop there.


thank you

[YOHABLO]

47. This is from the Tampa Bay Times as of June 20, 2016

Jenkins Barnett announced late last week that she is stepping down from the Publix board of directors after she was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease.

What's so ironic is that research is saying cannabis has been found to help those with onset Alzheimer's disease and probably, if she had been using cannabis on a regular basis, could have avoided ever having that condition.

[Laser102]

49. My sister died of ALS. The last year of her life was made bearable thanks to marijuana. All those

that seek to prolong the suffering of the afflicted and dying, when a solution is readily available, should rot in hell.

[olddad56]

50. every day researchers are find more and more medical benefits to medical marijuana

it seems like all of the big opposition comes from some person or corporation who doesn't realize they are missing out on a chance capitalize on this growth industry.

Little wonder the regressives are so gullible as to believe all of the bullshit that Trumps is pushing.

as a nation, we need to progress, not regress.

[sarcasmo]

52. Idiot! No more.

Shop @ Pubics when we're in Florida.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

53. Guess she doesn't read news. Legalization's been a disaster for Colorado? She should think more. nt

[trof]

61. Here's how to contact Publix:

https://corporate.publix.com/contact

[Feeling the Bern]

62. So, is she up to banning coca cola, pepsi and coffee because caffeine is a drug that can kill in a

large enough dose?

Aspirin can too.

How about the prescription drug abuse? The US has a massive prescription opiod abuse problem, but I don't see this broomstick riding political opportunist donating money to ban those.

Just weed must be kept illegal because. . . .um. . . .hmmmmmmmmmmm. . .I know, potheads are dangerous!

[PersonNumber503602]

63. This sort of stuff is impossible for me to understand.

Like why?

[Buddyblazon]

66. As someone that owns a cannabis related business...

and works in the industry...

This is a really dumb use of money. This genies out of the bottle. It ain't going back in. Defeat it now...and it'll just happen next cycle or the cycle after that. Betting money against eventual legalization is just a stupid way to waste money. This is happening whether the Reefer Madness crowd likes it or not.

[Initech]

68. If the only thing you have left to buy is politicians, go fuck yourself.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

74. She should donate money

to help fight alcoholism. Alcohol abuse is the real drug problem in our country.