Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterApril 17, 2017

A Senate proposal to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana was temporarily postponed, effectively putting an end to any hopes that legislators would act on the legislation this year. Sen. Jeff Clemens, the Lake Worth Democrat sponsoring the bill (SB 1662), asked that the Senate Criminal Justice Committee temporarily postponed the measure after a […]

Peter SchorschApril 6, 2017

I’ve not been shy about expressing my concerns about the implementation of Amendment 2, many of which stem from the fact that I’m the father of a young daughter. From that perspective, it’s imperative to me that Florida exercises necessary prudence and caution while putting in place the mandate from voters on medical marijuana. I’m […]

Ben PollaraMarch 22, 2017

Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues claims to have polled Floridians on whether they want marijuana legalized. They do not. Undisclosed interests hired a political consultant, who then hired Donald Trump‘s pollster to ask the same question. They got the same answer: 48 percent oppose legalization, while 46 percent support it. I have two questions that don’t […]

Scott PowersMarch 8, 2017

Orlando Democratic state Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith and Lake Worth Democratic state Sen. Jeff Clemens want people to stop going to jail or prison for possessing small amounts of marijuana. The pair of lawmakers introduced bills this week that would make possession of one ounce or less of cannabis – described as a “personal use […]

Gary FineoutMarch 7, 2017

Once the Florida Legislature kicks off its 60-day Session March 7, legislators are expected to pass, or kill, dozens of measures dealing with everything from abortion to gambling and the environment. So far, more than 2,000 bills have been filed, but in the end, legislators usually pass fewer than 300 pieces of legislation each year. […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 28, 2017

A push to decriminalize marijuana could prove a slippery slope, by giving kids the false impression on the safety of a drug increasingly legal nationwide. Some believe a similar problem could happen in Florida, especially after voters passed Amendment 2, which began the process of legalizing medical marijuana throughout the Sunshine State. A new report […]

Tag: marijuana
Paula Stark is hosting Buenaventura Lakes' 'first-ever' event to honor veterans.

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

Bill to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana likely dead for this Session

New wrinkles in Florida’s medical marijuana implementation raise doubts, concerns

Ben Pollara: Medical marijuana implementation for the 29, 48 … or 71 percent?

Carlos Smith, Jeff Clemens introduce decriminalize pot bills

Guns, gambling and taxes: Legislators return to work

With push to legalize marijuana, teens get false impression on pot safety