Danny McAuliffe
Trial lawyer, outspoken medical marijuana advocate and potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Morgan assumed the role of a different profession on Wednesday: journalist.
In a rapid series of Wednesday morning tweets fired at each of the major gubernatorial candidate, Morgan sought public, official comment on the candidates’ stance on the legalization of marijuana.
The tweets began at 9 a.m., just an hour and a half before Miami Beach Mayor Phillip Levine‘s officially declared his bid for governor. They garnered a bit of engagement, allowing Morgan to draw attention to himself despite the Levine-driven coverage of the day.
But perhaps Morgan did not intend to take the spotlight away from the mayor — maybe he’s genuinely probing a gubernatorial field that now boasts four Democratic candidates and two major Republicans.
His genuine intention could’ve been to see if a candidate aligned with his beliefs on marijuana — which Morgan has very clearly established as a pet issue. If that were the case, perhaps he’d rather stand on the sideline during the campaign next year, instead pushing his pro-pot agenda through another candidate. It certainly would be easier than facing a field of four Democratic primary candidates, and later going against the winner of a Republican lineup that includes Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Republican state Sen. Jack Latvala, with looming potential bids from House Speaker Richard Corcoran and U.S. Congressman Ron Desantis.
Either way, it shook things up in the Twitterverse of Florida politics, and the novice journalist got some big responses, too.
Latvala, of Clearwater, was first to respond. It was humorously concise.
https://twitter.com/JackLatvala/status/925713676664963072
Then came Levine’s answer, for which the dogged reporter Morgan for the first time felt the insulting, but not atypical sensation of a politician dodging a question.
.@MayorLevine One simple question for all candidates for Governor…
Are you in favor of the legalization of marijuana? Yes or no?
— John Morgan (@JohnMorganESQ) November 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/MayorLevine/status/925763739491631110
The mayor carefully circumnavigated the question of marijuana legalization, instead announcing his support for medical marijuana and “building on #MiamiBeach” where pot was decriminalized.
As for the rest of the candidates, you could say Morgan has ‘reached out for comment but has not received a response at the time of this article’s publishing.’ In other words, he hasn’t yet received responses.
UPDATE: Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum avoided ambiguity in answering Morgan’s question Thursday afternoon, earning a digital fistbump from his possible Democratic Primary rival.
Hey @JohnMorganESQ — I’m in. 1) Decriminalization & 2) Revenue. #Onward 👊🏾
— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) November 2, 2017
We must move to legalization – Florida needs to lead again.
— Andrew Gillum (@AndrewGillum) November 2, 2017
#PreachBrother 👊🏿👊🏿👊🏿 https://t.co/XG4qfPUyLl
— John Morgan (@JohnMorganESQ) November 2, 2017
The rest of the candidates – Putnam, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham and Orlando businessman Chris King – are still suffering from a bout of cottonmouth, so to speak.
.@GwenGraham One simple question for all candidates for Governor…
Are you in favor of the legalization of marijuana? Yes or no?
— John Morgan (@JohnMorganESQ) November 1, 2017
.@ChrisKingFL One simple question for all candidates for Governor…
Are you in favor of the legalization of marijuana? Yes or no?
— John Morgan (@JohnMorganESQ) November 1, 2017
.@AdamPutnam One simple question for all candidates for Governor…
Are you in favor of the legalization of marijuana? Yes or no?
— John Morgan (@JohnMorganESQ) November 1, 2017
13 comments
Manuel Orona
November 2, 2017 at 12:53 pm
Legalization, what’s the one solid reason jack says no. Concerned Veteran.
CherieSmith
November 2, 2017 at 3:20 pm
Thank you!! I’m also searching for the right candidate in favor of LEGALIZATION. Run, John please!!! FOR THE PEOPLE😊❤️
LaDawn Wells
November 2, 2017 at 3:48 pm
Looks like none have the balls to answer the question and the ones that did are lacking any real commitment and certainly Putnam isn’t interested in the 71% that voted for it. We don’t need anymore weenes in office that think they know better than the voters.
mike m
November 2, 2017 at 5:42 pm
Run John. Legalize & end this idiot prohibition.
Everybody knows it will be legalized someday. I’m 71 & don’t want to die before it happens.
TerryG
November 2, 2017 at 5:42 pm
The ONLY candidate we will support is one that is running on the platform of Legalization of Marijuana
Holly
November 2, 2017 at 5:52 pm
Mr. Morgan we need you for Governor! You have put all your hard work, heart and money into this miracle plant named Cannabis! You see how hard they are already making it for patients to get cards, not covered by insurance, people in fear of their jobs and now trying to ban dispensaries! This is NOT what we voted for and we need YOU to help finish this battle! Florida is behind you! #SunshineFamily #Sunshine Cannabis
John
November 2, 2017 at 10:41 pm
While we are at it, can we get rid of standard time? This spring forward / fall back nonsense has got to go!
Jeff
November 3, 2017 at 9:38 am
We can’t allow another Democrat to with their primary without supporting legalization. The remaining few outlier’s should be flushed from the party there are no excuses for it. I would say the same for Republicans but that’s alot harder to achieve but it’s looking better then ever on that front as well.
Jim Burkiewicz
November 3, 2017 at 1:48 pm
Did you contact Bob White, Bob White is running in the republican primary for Florida governor?
http://bobforflorida.com/
Jim Burkiewicz
November 3, 2017 at 1:50 pm
Did you contact Randy Wiseman?
Randy Wiseman is the Libertarian candidate for governor.
https://www.randywiseman.com/
Lawrence McCue
November 3, 2017 at 1:58 pm
70 year old verteran here. Canabis helps so many people in so many different ways. 71% of the voters think so. So what’s up ? Full legalization and ABC type control would allow those that wish to use the stuff, be FREE to do so. It is why I put on a uniform our FREEDOM. It is a natural plant, not a concocted medicine. Run John Morgan. You are in very deep and your effort is well received and actually you are the best candidate “for the people” Thank you
Robin Matutino
November 3, 2017 at 11:14 pm
I hope you run! I totally support legalization for recreational use of Marijuana and will only vote for the candidate that is going to make that happen. I will also vote against the current politicians refusing to implement or making it impossible for medical use now.
ronald collins
November 4, 2017 at 9:26 am
RUN JOHN RUN, SEE JOHN RUN, SEE JOHN WIN!!!!!
I WORKED HARD FOR 4 YEARS TO HELP GET MED MAR PASSED, AND I CAN’T EVEN GET ALL MY MEDS FOR ONE MONTH DUE TO THE HIGH COST, WOULD BE AROUND $5,000 BECAUSE THEIR IS NO COMPETITION. CABLE ALL OVER AGAIN. B.S.!!!!
WE NEED YOU JOHN!
Comments are closed.