Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Guest AuthorOctober 19, 2014

Early this month Ben Pollara, campaign manager for United for Care, wrote a column for Context Florida challenging some of my arguments opposing Amendment 2, the medical marijuana measure on the Nov. 4 ballot. Some of Ben’s answers were just plain wrong and some were misleading, so let’s look at his attempts to answer my […]

Martin DyckmanOctober 12, 2014

Whether to legalize marijuana for medical use — and with what conditions — are questions that should have been debated by the Legislature. There have been opportunities. But the profile most legislators display on such topics is not one of courage. Sports anglers encountered the same quicksand when they asked for restrictions on the massive […]

Guest AuthorOctober 8, 2014

I smoked some marijuana the other day and went to the beach in Fort Lauderdale. I eased back in my chair, looked up and saw the a lovely formation of wispy white clouds. The late-afternoon air had a hint of Florida autumn. The water was warm. The sounds of the beachgoers were soothing. I was […]

Guest AuthorOctober 7, 2014

First in a series. As Election Day approaches, the backers on both sides of the ballot initiative to make medical marijuana legal in Florida are getting fired up. It’s a battle of wits, money, compassion, money, politics and money and of course, the people who are donating the money to either pass or defeat Amendment […]

Guest AuthorOctober 1, 2014

Barney Bishop’s column in Context Florida opposing Amendment 2 was as rambling and incoherent as it was wrong. One might suspect he’s gotten his hands on some of this “high THC” weed he’s so terrified about. I generally do the sensible thing and ignore Bishop’s paranoid screeds, but his latest missive not only contains the […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 30, 2014

“Daniel” wouldn’t hesitate to tell you his real name. Protecting him is my call. Until and unless Florida voters approve Constitutional Amendment 2 on Nov. 4, marijuana is still illegal in the state. Who knows who might come after him for something he alleges here? In addition to the chronic physical pain he suffers, he […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 25, 2014

As time goes by, it appears that Amendment 2 is facing serious opposition from likely voters. Though the press has loved quoting a flawed Quinnipiac Poll that showed 88 percent of voters were in support, once pollsters began asking the question as it would appear on the ballot, support has dropped significantly to somewhere between […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 15, 2014

Labor Day is at least a week into the rearview mirror, so the white pants should be closeted away until next June. The kids are back at school, football has returned to the tube, and, even in Florida, the temperature has dropped a degree or two. In other words, elections are less than two months away. […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 11, 2014

The following commentary about Amendment 2 was signed by seven former justices of the Florida Supreme Court, including five who served as chief justice: Parker Lee McDonald, Leander J. Shaw Jr., Stephen H. Grimes, Major B. Harding, Charles T. Wells, Raoul G. Cantero III, and Kenneth B. Bell: As former Florida Supreme Court justices, we […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 9, 2014

Last week’s Tampa Bay Times/Bay News 9/UF Bob Graham Center poll on Amendment 2, which would legalize medical marijuana, indicates that only 56.7 percent of likely voters are supporting the amendment. This is certainly good news for those of us who oppose the amendment, but much can change. What is significant about the poll is […]

Tag: Amendment 2
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Barney Bishop: Challenges to Amendment 2 loopholes still not answered

Martin Dyckman: Vote for Crist if you want much-needed constitutional reform

Tom O’Hara: I’m 67 years old, I smoke pot, and it’s time to make it legal

Gary Stein: Of Pain, people, pot, politics, public figures and priorities

Ben Pollara: One more time, here are the reasons to pass Amendment 2

Stephen Goldstein: Medical marijuana patient describes pain, benefits, struggles

Barney Bishop: Amendment 2 not needed; we already have Charlotte’s Web

Five critical political questions leading up to November’s election

Former Florida justices: Why those who are both for and against medical marijuana oppose Amendment 2

Barney Bishop: Support for passage of medical marijuana amendment slipping