Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannMarch 20, 2015

As Tallahassee lawmakers finish their third week of the 2015 Legislative Session, Ben Pollara finds little to cheer about in Florida’s struggle to legalize medical marijuana. “It ain’t looking good,” the United for Care leader writes in a new email update. “Despite the voices of 58 percent of Floridians and our efforts in the legislature,” Pollara writes, “third […]

Mitch PerryMarch 12, 2015

On Monday, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that the Florida Cannabis Action Network was now “developing a 2016 voter initiative to legalize marijuana, based on the likelihood that the Florida Legislature will be unwilling to create a comprehensive medical-only program in coming weeks.” Uh, not exactly, says FCAN executive director Jodi James. “The ballot initiative idea […]

Mitch PerryMarch 12, 2015

On Monday, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that the Florida Cannabis Action Network was now “developing a 2016 voter initiative to legalize marijuana, based on the likelihood that the Florida Legislature will be unwilling to create a comprehensive medical-only program in coming weeks.” Uh, not exactly, says FCAN executive director Jodi James. “The ballot initiative idea […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 23, 2015

Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli is right: no one has really made the case to him or anyone that the statutory language of SB 1030, legalizing low-THC medical marijuana, is flawed; but it absolutely is and must be fixed legislatively. I’m willing to accept partial blame here. The conversations surrounding 1030 have largely been driven […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 19, 2015

Speaker Crisafulli is right: no one has really made the case to him or anyone that the statutory language of SB 1030 is flawed; but it absolutely is and must be fixed legislatively. I’m willing to accept partial blame here. The conversations surrounding 1030 have largely been driven by two groups of political actors: advocates […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 19, 2015

Speaker Crisafulli is right: no one has really made the case to him or anyone that the statutory language of SB 1030 is flawed; but it absolutely is and must be fixed legislatively. I’m willing to accept partial blame here. The conversations surrounding 1030 have largely been driven by two groups of political actors: advocates […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 11, 2015

LSN Partners announced today that prominent Republican strategist Jesse Manzano-Plaza has joined the firm. And with Manzano-Plaza’s hiring, LSN is starting a new company division — LSN Communications. LSN Communications will be a bipartisan, bilingual consultancy, providing full-service public relations, public affairs, media relations, crisis communications and issue advocacy services to existing clients and creating […]

James CallFebruary 2, 2015

Pollsters continue to tell Floridians they overwhelming support the idea of allowing marijuana to be used as medicine. A Gravis Insights poll conducted last week found 64 percent of respondents said they would support a 2016 ballot initiative which read: Allows medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a […]

James CallFebruary 2, 2015

Pollsters continue to detect overwhelming support among Floridians for allowing marijuana to be used as medicine. A Gravis Insights poll conducted this past week found 64 percent of respondents said they would back a 2016 ballot initiative that read: “Allows medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed […]

Janelle Irwin TaylorJanuary 26, 2015

Pro-medical marijuana groups are praising a bill filed by state Sen. Jeff Brandes Monday. The Florida Medical Marijuana Act would authorize physicians to prescribe marijuana to patients afflicted with one of 14 specific illnesses. “I’m very encouraged by Sen. Brandes’ bill. As a sheriff and as the son of a cancer survivor, responsible, comprehensive, medical marijuana legislation is critically […]

Tag: Ben Pollara
Georgia Kelley poses at her Disney World trip. (Emily Kelley)

Email insights: As medical marijuana stalls in Tallahassee, Ben Pollara presses on

No, FCAN isn't about to pursue a pot legalization amendment

No, FCAN isn’t about to pursue a pot legalization amendment

Ben Pollara: Fixes that can make Florida's medical marijuana law work

Ben Pollara: Legislative action needed on Charlotte's Web

Ben Pollara: Legislative action needed on Charlotte’s Web

Personnel note: Jesse Manzano-Plaza, Ben Pollara launch new bipartisan comms division of LSN Partners

Poll finds support for medicinal marijuana remains above 64 percent

Poll finds Florida voter support for medicinal marijuana remains above 64 percent

Pro-medical marijuana backers praise Jeff Brandes’ bill to broaden medical marijuana law