DEERFIELD BEACH — Republican Ed Lynch, independent Jim McCormick and Democrat Ted Deutch clashed on health care overhaul and other issues during a congressional forum Friday, but sounded fairly harmonious when moderator Donna Dowling asked about medical marijuana.

Marijuana use is illegal under federal law, but some states allow it for medicinal purposes.

“It’s called medical marijuana. I don’t have a problem with it,” said Lynch, who said his mother died of cancer and he would have welcomed anything to relieve her pain.

“I would say if it can help eliminate the pain, why aren’t we doing it? It’s not hurting anyone. It’s medical marijuana,” said McCormick.

Said Deutch: “Medical marijuana, if it helps to reduce suffering, absolutely is something that we ought to consider.”

It would be more difficult to sell carburetor pipes, chillums and chillers in Florida under a bill approved today by a panel of state lawmakers.

Don’t know what those items are? Most members of the House Finance and Tax Council didn’t either. Not that that stopped them from approving the bill 16-0.

Story here.