Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 16, 2018

It’s now up to a Tallahassee judge whether the Legislature overstepped when it outlawed the smoking of medical marijuana. Attorneys for the state and patients who want to smoke the drug squared off in a Leon County courtroom Wednesday before Circuit Judge Karen Gievers. She didn’t immediately rule after the close of evidence, but could issue a decision […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 30, 2018

Tampa Democratic Rep. Sean Shaw became the first major Democrat to throw his hat into the ring for Attorney General this month, and after a peek at the team he’s building it’s clear he’s in it to win it. Capital City Consulting’s Dan Newman is on board as senior adviser for the Shaw campaign, and […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 12, 2018

Orlando attorney John Morgan will not run for Florida governor in 2018 — not even as an independent. Morgan, recognized for his ubiquitous TV ads for his law firm, Morgan and Morgan, took to Twitter Thursday night to rule out an independent bid for the Governor’s Mansion. “People ask if I would ever run as an […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 2, 2018

Nikki Fried’s inaugural committee has announced the first of a slate of events leading up to her swearing in as Agriculture Commissioner. The inaugural ball, part of Fried’s “Growing a Stronger Florida” inaugural celebration, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7 at the University Center Club in Doak Campbell Stadium. The inaugural committee didn’t […]

Peter SchorschMay 22, 2017

John Morgan was at his Trumpiest earlier this month when he took to social media to savage his longtime aide-de-camp, Ben Pollara, over the failure of legislation implementing medical marijuana this Session. Labeling him “Fredo,” (from the Godfather trilogy) and telling FloridaPolitics.com that Ben “f**ked the patients,” Morgan accused Pollara of putting the interests of wannabe medical marijuana businesses […]

Guest AuthorMay 9, 2017

For the last five years, my big brother, Ben Pollara, has fought to bring medical marijuana treatment to suffering citizens in the state of Florida. He acted as campaign manager for United for Care, which was the chief facilitator of Amendment 2’s passage November, and has since worked tirelessly to craft and pass fair legislation […]

Peter SchorschMay 9, 2017

The he-said, he-said-what? between medical marijuana proponents Ben Pollara and John Morgan has captivated political aficionados during the epilogue phase of the 2017 Legislative Session. On Friday night, the Legislature killed HB 1397, a bill to enact the medical marijuana amendment approved by 71 percent of voters in November. Morgan, who spearheaded and bankrolled much of […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMay 9, 2017

Senate President Joe Negron hasn’t closed the door to a special session to tackle medical marijuana. The Stuart Republican said Monday he thinks the Legislature has a responsibility to be involved in the implementation of the 2016 medical marijuana, and said the Senate would discuss its options with the House and Gov. Rick Scott. His […]

Phil AmmannMay 8, 2017

Ben Pollara, executive director of Florida For Care, spoke out Monday afternoon over the well-publicized split with Orlando uber-attorney John Morgan over the failed medical marijuana implementation bill. On Friday night, the Florida Legislature killed HB 1397, a bill to enact the medical marijuana amendment approved by 71 percent of voters in November. Morgan, who […]

Peter SchorschMay 7, 2017

The headline writers had an easy job Friday night after the Florida Legislature failed to agree on rules to enact the medical marijuana amendment supported by 71 percent of Florida voters last November. “Medical marijuana deal goes up in smoke,” blared the Tallahassee Democrat. “Up in smoke: Legislature can’t agree on medical marijuana,” read The […]

Tag: Ben Pollara
Image via Florida A&M University.

Smoke ’em? Judge will decide on puffing medical marijuana

Sean Shaw staffs up for Attorney General bid

John Morgan says no to independent bid for Florida governor

Nikki Fried inaugural committee announces Jan. 7 inaugural ball

Was it actually John Morgan who had financial conflicts in marijuana implementation?

Samantha Pollara: In defense of my big brother Ben Pollara

John Morgan wrong to insult Mayernicks, lobbying profession

Joe Negron open to special session on medical marijuana

Ben Pollara’s emotional mea culpa on John Morgan split, marijuana bill failure

John Morgan after medical marijuana legislation dies: Ben Pollara ‘f*cked’ the patients