Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

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 […]

Larry GriffinNovember 8, 2016

Florida’s Amendment 2, allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana to patients who need it, swept the polls with a 70-to-30 split in Tuesday’s election. Last time out, it got 58 percent of the vote, but because it required a “super majority” of 60 percent, it didn’t pass. Supporters of the amendment say it’s a sensible […]

Mitch PerryNovember 3, 2016

In Florida, we have two constitutional amendments on the ballot that will be decided next Tuesday. The way it looks now, it would be a major upset if Amendment 2, the medical marijuana initiative, fails to get 60 percent of the electorate’s vote. Then again, conventional wisdom was that it would pass in 2014, and it […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 19, 2016

As former Florida Supreme Court Justices, we once took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the State of Florida. Today, we urge all Floridians to protect and defend our constitution by once again voting “No” on Amendment 2. The amendment’s sponsors say they fixed the problems that caused Floridians to reject a […]

Tag: marijuana
Aleksandar Vucic Image via AP

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

Amendment 2 for medical marijuana sweeps the polls with a huge win

Mitch Perry Report for 11.3.16 — Guns, pot, minimum wage measures to be voted on next week across the country

Why 5 former Florida Supreme Court justices oppose Amendment 2