Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterAugust 22, 2016

Vote No on 2 is refuting statements made by medical marijuana backers in recent weeks, including that medical-grade marijuana will not get a patient high. “These lies are deplorable,” said Christina Johnson, the spokeswoman for the Vote No on 2 campaign. “Floridians deserve to know the truth, not an altered version of it.” The campaign, […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 25, 2016

Drug-Free Florida saw another big fundraising period, raising more than $800,000 in about a week. State records show the organization raised $805,000 between July 9 and July 15, the most recent fundraising period. That sum includes a single $800,000 donation from the Carol Jenkins Barnett Family Trust and brings its total fundraising haul to more […]

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 […]

Anne LindbergJuly 23, 2016

A Pasco County man suffering from Dystonia with Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms became the first Florida patient to receive a delivery of medical marijuana today from Trulieve, a medical cannabis dispensary. The delivery came days after Trulieve became the first dispensary to receive formal authorization from the state Department of Health to both grow and dispense low-THC medical cannabis. “Honoring our commitment to […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 19, 2016

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Drug Free Florida raised more than $500,000 in two weeks this month, the vast majority coming from a single donor. State records show Mel Sembler, a prominent St. Petersburg fundraiser, gave the committee $500,000 between July 2 and July 8, the most recent reporting period. The committee raised $510,035 in the fundraising period, boosting its fundraising […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 12, 2016

Vote No On 2 has a new look. The group, which is leading the charge against the 2016 medical marijuana amendment, unveiled its new website Tuesday. The revamped site puts a greater focus on visuals, using videos and photos to explain the group’s position. Vote No on 2 led the charge against a similar constitutional amendment […]

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 […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 10, 2016

Drug-Free Florida raised more than $500,000 in May, outpacing the committee backing the effort to legalize medical marijuana 5-to-1. State records show Drug-Free Florida raised $500,85 in the one-month fundraising period. Mel Sembler, a prominent St. Petersburg fundraiser, gave the committee $500,000 in May. The substantial donation came just weeks after Sembler announced he once […]

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. […]

Tag: United for Care
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Vote No on 2 refutes claims made by medical marijuana supporters

Carol Jenkins Barnett Family Trust gives $800K to Drug Free Florida

77% of Florida voters now back medical marijuana ballot initiative

Pasco County man receives first delivery of medical marijuana in Florida

Mel Sembler gives another $500K to Drug Free Florida

Vote No On 2 unveils new website, advertisements opposing medical pot initiative

Anti-Amendment 2 groups has quiet fundraising month

United for Care questioned about breast cancer contribution

Mel Sembler donates $500K to Vote No on 2 campaign in May

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