Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Danny McAuliffeJune 18, 2018

According to newly filed Agriculture Commissioner candidate Nikki Fried, the state is lax on gun control and too overbearing on medical marijuana. In a campaign video released Monday morning, the Democrat makes her introduction to voters by setting up a dichotomy between pot and assault rifles. “One helps sick and dying Floridians and is over-regulated,” […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 14, 2018

Former Rep. Gwen Graham continues her campaign for Florida Governor this week, and on the heels of her endorsement from the Florida Education Association, she is doing what’s logical: workdays and appearances predicated on the theme of education (the “backbone of [her] campaign”). Jacksonville on Thursday morning was no exception; the candidate was doing one […]

Jim RosicaJune 8, 2018

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A Jacksonville man’s sentence on drug possession charges was struck down by an appellate court Friday because of the state’s “911 Good Samaritan Act.” A unanimous three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal reversed Thomas John Pope‘s 15-month sentence on possession of heroin and marijuana charges. Pope, 26, already was released from minimum custody this […]

A.G. GancarskiJune 8, 2018

On Friday, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine — a Democratic candidate for Governor — rolled out his proposal to legalize the sale of adult-use cannabis. “If elected Governor,” Levine tweeted, “I will carefully move to legalize the sale of limited quantities recreational marijuana for adults.” “Careful means controlled,” Levine said, with “highly regulated” sales and distribution […]

Scott PowersMay 24, 2018

The national Progressive Change Campaign Committee has endorsed Andrew Gillum in Florida’s gubernatorial race, making him one of five gubernatorial candidates selected nationally. The organization has ties to U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and has also endorsed her and other members of Congress such as U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota. The organization also […]

Guest AuthorMay 22, 2018

Although marijuana use for medical and recreational purposes is at an all-time high in the United States, a team of researchers led by a Florida State University professor has found those who hold strong religious beliefs are choosing to stay away from cannabis. FSU Associate Professor Amy Burdette and her team found that individuals who […]

Scott PowersApril 18, 2018

In a Democratic gubernatorial debate Wednesday that illuminated only a handful of policy differences while all four candidates sought to define their brand themes, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham found herself often playing defense, repeatedly disputing remarks from Winter Park businessman Chris King and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum. At one point Graham, the presumed co-front […]

Scott PowersFebruary 12, 2018

A new poll released Monday by the University of North Florida continues to show that Florida Republicans have a different set of concerns and issues priorities than Democrats or independent voters, and that starts with immigration and crime. In the Florida Statewide Poll conducted by Public Opinion Research Lab, a quarter of surveyed Republican registered […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 4, 2018

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rolled out plans to reverse the Cole Memo, an Obama-era policy of detente in the federal war against cannabis, on Thursday. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum was the first — and as of Thursday morning, the only — candidate in Florida’s 2018 field to decry Sessions’ move. “Attorney General Jeff Sessions is […]

A.G. GancarskiJuly 12, 2017

Wednesday morning saw Jacksonville open its first medical marijuana dispensary, as Trulieve’s storefront on Beach Boulevard opened for business. For those following the medical marijuana debate in the city as recently as two years ago, Trulieve’s facility represents real progress, especially in contrast to other cities across the state still wrestling with zoning and other […]

Tag: marijuana

Nikki Fried campaign video features marijuana grow-op, call for gun control

‘I don’t believe in polls,’ says Gwen Graham

Drug case overturned because of ‘good Samaritan’ law

Philip Levine rolls out cannabis legalization proposal

Progressive Change Campaign Committee endorses Andrew Gillum

Kara Irby: Religious involvement deters marijuana use

Democratic debate puts Gwen Graham on defense

Republicans worried about immigration, crime; Democrats, indies, not so much

Andrew Gillum slams Jeff Sessions’ reversal of federal cannabis policy as racist and ‘deluded’

Jacksonville’s first medical marijuana dispensary represents policy progress