Guest AuthorWhen I debated Barney Bishop a few weeks ago in Miami, he claimed that he had “smoked more marijuana than everyone in the crowd – combined.”
Well, he must have fried his brain doing so, because he can’t even put together a coherent thought in a “victory lap” piece like the one published on “Politics of Pot” the day after last week’s election.
Let’s start by clarifying something: Floridians want
medical marijuana. While amendment 2 fell short of the 60 percent required to pass an amendment, it received 3,364,026 votes, a half million more than Rick Scott.
The amendment got more votes than Pam Bondi, Jeff Atwater and Adam Putnam and a percentage larger than the last six governors elected in our state.
I understand that the amendment lost, this isn’t just about an amendment. This is about an issue that has majority support.
But Bishop argues that isn’t a mandate deserving of legislative action, while also arguing we should have pursued legislation. Huh?
He also argues that we fell from 88 percent support and then in the same breath argued that support was never there because our polling was flawed. Huh, again?
His single argument worth addressing is that John Morgan, the primary proponent of the amendment, was the reason the amendment failed. WRONG. Morgan was the reason amendment 2 was on the ballot in the first place.
He’s the reason we have a Charlotte’s Web law that allows the use of a specific kind of marijuana.
Barney, save yourself some time and don’t give Morgan any more unsolicited advice. He needs advice from you like Rick Scott needs advice on blind trusts.
I’m tired after a long campaign and Bishop’s circular
reasoning has given me a headache. He does get one thing right. A massive influx of out-of-state, special interest money ruined the dreams of hundreds of thousands of suffering Floridians and their families.
I’m glad Barney’s so happy about that. His side won and he has
every right to gloat. If the tables were turned, you can bet I’d be
doing the same. A win’s a win. I just happen to think taking giddy pleasure in denying sick people medicine is, well, sick.
Calling all potheads, we’re going to Tallahassee next session and getting a medical marijuana law.
Ben Pollara is a political hack and the campaign manager for United for Care, the organization advocating for the passage of Amendment 2 in the 2014 general election. Column courtesy of Context Florida.
