Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 8, 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 AuthorAugust 28, 2014

Amendment 2, the deceptive effort to essentially legalize marijuana, is supposedly self-regulating by the creation of so-called “caregivers.” The amendment’s authors invented this idea that caregivers, a/k/a Sugar Daddies or more appropriately Pot Wizards, can provide medical dope to other individuals. Interestingly, the authors didn’t define this Pot Wizard other than to say that they […]

Guest AuthorAugust 20, 2014

I have previously written that I support Amendment 2, the ballot initiative that may finally bring medical marijuana (MMJ) to the state of Florida. It is because there are people in my life for whom I care deeply that would benefit from it. Not to get them stoned, but to give them a greater quality […]

Guest AuthorAugust 18, 2014

The sham that is Amendment 2 continues to evolve. The latest iteration is the so-called Blue Ribbon Commission. While there is no doubt that the commission includes quality members, the idea of a self-appointed “commission” is just another example of the arrogance of the amendment proponents. This group has no authority whatsoever, so no one […]

Guest AuthorAugust 17, 2014

In November, Florida voters will likely approve Amendment 2 – a proposal that seeks to expand health-care options to include medical marijuana. At that point, it will be incumbent on lawmakers to implement regulatory schemes that protect rather than exploit Florida’s health-care system. Toward this goal, looking at the experience of other states can offer a […]

Guest AuthorAugust 7, 2014

Most everyone who believes in compassion supports the idea of medicinal marijuana for debilitating conditions, which is envisioned in Constitutional Amendment 2 and will be before voters on November 4. What most voters do not yet understand is how flawed the wording is for Amendment 2. The author of this amendment specifically wrote it so […]

Guest AuthorJuly 30, 2014

Florida has a long-standing rivalry with the other Sunshine State, California. As a proud Floridian myself, I have to say that this Eastside-Westside beef almost always comes down in favor of the East. And as the campaign manager for United for Care — the organization advocating for medical marijuana and the passage of Amendment 2 […]

Guest AuthorJuly 21, 2014

Newspaper stories and blogs continue to document the coming battle over the state constitutional amendment that would permit the use of medical marijuana. However, most reporters write pro-marijuana stories, giving little coverage to the other side of the story. For example, several recent stories say that polling shows Amendment 2 passing handily. In fact, nothing […]

Tag: Amendment 2

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

Peter Schorsch: Five critical political questions leading up to November’s election

Barney Bishop: Amendment 2: Caregivers are the new Pot Wizards

Gary Stein: Medical marijuana amendment: Forced choices or freedom to treat?

Barney Bishop: Amendment 2: Blue Ribbon Commission is just a kangaroo court

Karen Cyphers: Lessons for Florida from a California cannabis tourist

Barney Bishop: Flawed Amendment 2 exempts pot industry from liability

Ben Pollara: Florida can show other states how to regulate medical marijuana

Barney Bishop: Most media reporting on medical pot unfairly supports it