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