Pubdate: Sat, 02 Nov 2013
Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Copyright: 2013 Sun-Sentinel Company
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/mVLAxQfA
Website: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159
Author: Anthony Man

MEDICINAL MARIJUANA IS BECOMING A HOT NEW POLITICAL ISSUE

There's much more than medicine to the question of whether medical 
marijuana should be legalized in Florida. And that helps explain why 
Florida's top Democrats and Republicans are lining up on opposite sites.

The latest development came Friday, when Nan Rich of Weston, a 
candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, said she 
supports a proposed ballot initiative that would legalize the use of 
medical marijuana in the Sunshine State.

And former Gov. Charlie Crist has expressed support for the proposed 
constitutional amendment, although not as definitively as Rich. When 
asked about the proposal last weekend, he said, "A real doctor 
prescribing it for a proper purpose to stop suffering, why not?"

On Monday, Crist is expected to announce he'll seek the Democratic 
nomination to regain his old job, which he held from 2007 to 2011 as 
a Republican.

Political analysts see the ballot question on medical marijuana as a 
way to attract young people and liberal voters to the polls in 2014 - 
when either Rich or Crist would be on the ballot.

Midterm elections, between presidential contests, generally see a 
major falloff in young and Democratic-leaning voters, which means 
something that draws them to the polls could help the Democratic 
candidate against Republican Gov. Rick Scott.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, a Republican facing her own reelection 
race next year, and top Republicans in the Florida Legislature are 
trying to block the referendum question from theNovember 2014 ballot.

They're asking the Florida Supreme Court to stop the proposed 
amendment, arguing the ballot language would deceive voters about its 
reach. The Supreme Court will hear arguments Dec. 5.

The most prominent supporter of the marijuana initiative is Orlando 
trial lawyer John Morgan. He and his Morgan & Morgan law firm - where 
Crist works - are the biggest financial supporters of the effort.

A survey released last month by Public Policy Polling showed the 
initiative has overwhelming support, with 62 percent in favor and 26 
percent opposed.

Independent voters are the biggest supporters, with 74 percent in 
favor and 17 percent opposed, followed closely by Democrats, who 
split 68 percent in favor and 20 percent opposed. Republican support 
was lower, with 46 percent in support and 41 percent opposed.

Doctors can prescribe medical marijuana in 19 states and District of 
Columbia. Rich, a former Democratic leader in the Florida Senate, 
said the issue is about medical care.

"I've met with patients who clearly benefit and desperately need 
medically prescribed cannabis," she said. "There is simply no reason 
patients should suffer when an effective, safe, and organic remedy is 
readily available."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom