Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressNovember 8, 2016

A proposed amendment to the state constitution to legalize medical marijuana has gained widespread support in Florida two years after falling just shy of passing. Most state polls have support for Amendment 2 above the 60 percent threshold needed for approval. A similar measure was on the 2014 general election ballot and received 58 percent. […]

Jim RosicaOctober 24, 2016

The team behind this year’s medical marijuana amendment has released an 11-page “intent” memo for voters to “understand the purposes” of the initiative. “Voters should vote for an amendment fully understanding the intent of the drafters,” said the document, obtained by FloridaPolitics.com on Monday. “Fostering voter understanding is the central purpose of this memo, and […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterOctober 3, 2016

The United for Care campaign is hitting the airwaves. The group behind the medical marijuana ballot initiative recently filmed its first advertisement and is expected to release it this week. The 30-second spot features a Miami Beach doctor talking about the benefits of Amendment 2. “My patients are fighting cancer, epilepsy, and other diseases. Right […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 25, 2016

A medical marijuana amendment continues to have strong support throughout Florida, according to a new poll. The survey — conducted by Anzalone Liszt Research on behalf of the United for Care campaign — found 77 percent of likely Florida voters said they supported the ballot initiative. The survey found 20 percent were opposed it it, while […]

Keith MorelliJuly 5, 2016

As the 2016 election season swings into fifth gear with politicians and committees filling treasuries with contributions, this was the total collected in June by the leading special interest group opposed to legalizing medical marijuana in Florida: $00.00. After tallying more than half-million dollars in May, all but $1,000 from a single donor, Mel Sembler, […]

Keith MorelliJune 27, 2016

State regulators are questioning a contribution to a breast cancer fund by the backers of proposed medical marijuana referendum, calling it an “invalid contribution” requiring further explanation. People United for Medical Marijuana, whose campaign, United for Care, is pushing for the passage of Amendment 2 on November’s general election ballot, responded by saying the $155 […]

Keith MorelliJune 9, 2016

With five months to go before the matter of expanding the use of medical marijuana is placed before the voters, the two main organizations on either side have begun a news release war, each trying to persuade the electorate their side is right. Florida voters will decide on the fate of Amendment 2 in November. […]

Phil AmmannJune 9, 2016

If Florida passes a constitutional amendment in November to legalize medical marijuana, opponents of the measure say the Sunshine State could soon be swamped with more pot shops than McDonald’s, 7-Eleven and Starbucks combined. That’s the message from a new video — titled “5,000” — produced by the Vote No on 2 campaign, which claims […]

Phil AmmannApril 26, 2016

Gwen Graham’s recent semi-surprise, twofer announcement has the Florida chattering classes (temporarily) taking their attention away from 2016 and toward a post-Rick Scott state Capitol. The year 2018 will mark 20 straight years in which Republicans have monopolized the Governor’s Mansion. Democrats are understandably terrified about that continued dominance, particularly when they consider the judicial […]

Scott PowersApril 22, 2016

The group that opposed and defeated the 2014 proposed medical marijuana constitutional amendment is preparing to raise money to try the same for this year’s initiative. The Drug-Free Florida Committee, a political action committee associated with St. Petersburg Republican financier and business executive Mel Sembler, will begin raising money shortly with hopes to do battle again […]

Tag: Ben Pollara

2nd try at medical pot amendment gains support in Florida

Backers release ‘intent’ statement for medical pot amendment

Pro-medical marijuana group set to launch first TV ad

77% of Florida voters now back medical marijuana ballot initiative

Anti-Amendment 2 groups has quiet fundraising month

United for Care questioned about breast cancer contribution

Vote No on 2 campaign says medical pot may worsen PTSD, citing Yale study

New anti-pot video claims Amendment 2 allows ‘5,000’ marijuana shops in Florida

Ben Pollara: Baby got bench: Florida Democrats’ 2018 field

Anti-medical marijuana campaign prepares to raise money