Medical marijuana initiative receives backing from service employees union

The push to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes received the backing of the Service Employees International Union of Florida.

“The Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions ballot initiative is about compassion and quality of care for patients. There are hundreds of thousands of very sick Floridians who will find relief due to this comprehensive proposal,” said Martha Baker, a registered nurse and the president of SEIU Local 1991, which represents nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals at Florida’s largest public hospital. “There are 24 other states that have a medical marijuana law; United for Care is doing the right thing for Florida by bringing this issue to the voters. Moreover, the proposal puts medical decisions back in their proper place: between patient and doctor.”

The union represents more than 55,000 active and retired healthcare professionals, public employees and property service workers. The members provide services throughout the state, including hospitals and nursing homes.

“We are honored to again receive the support of the SEIU,” said Ben Pollara, campaign manager at United for Care. “The endorsement from the union representing the largest number of healthcare workers in the state is particularly rewarding. We will proudly fight alongside SEIU Florida to secure the rights of doctors and their patients with debilitating conditions to make medical decisions without having to live like criminals.”

Voters will once again have the chance to vote on a constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana. This month, Secretary of State Ken Detzner certified the initiative as Amendment 2 on the 2016 ballot.

In 2014, the amendment received 58 percent of the vote, just shy of the 60 percent it needed to become law.