Florida Will Join the Medical Marijuana Ranks

With the November elections a little over a week from now, and early voting already well under way, it’s time to look at what is at stake in each state in terms of laws. Oregon, Alaska, Washington D.C., and Florida all have upcoming elections that weigh on the fate of the future of marijuana in the United States. First on the list is the contentious state of Florida, where the battle for Amendment 2 is turning into a regular case of North versus South.

If the proposition passes, Florida will become the First state in the South East to establish a medical marijuana law. According to a random poll of 3000 Floridians, 73.5% said that they supported medical marijuana for many conditions. 58.8% of citizens support a law similar to the one in place in Colorado, where marijuana is taxed and regulated like alcohol. The study bodes well for bodes well for election in 8 days and the early voting that has been happening for several weeks.

Those who oppose the campaign in Florida largely live north of Miami-Dade county, and have some typical concerns with the law. Namely they think the edibles are too strong, are marketed to children and can be used as a date rape drug in high doses. They do not like the diversity of illnesses covered, citing loop holes that will allow wide spread access of the drug. What adult does not benefit from a little marijuana every now and again?

More than 50% of US Population Will Have Access to Medical Marijuana

To get on the ballot, Amendment 2 needed hundreds of thousands of signatures. The initiative and referendum process is one of the most powerful grass roots tools to change legislation on the local and state level, and there is a form of it in the EU at the Union level. This takes time and money and there are likely many proud activists still working hard to make sure the signatures translate into votes on Election Day.

Adding to the mix of politics and changing laws are senate election and a gubernatorial race that is heavily centered on the issue and will be a strong predictor of both races. Opponents of the bill Rick Scott, a republican who is running for Governor of Florida, and Pam Biondi, attorney general of Florida, tried to keep amendment 2 off the ballot in a law suit. The Supreme Court found their efforts denied the constitutional rights of Floridians to initiatives and referendums. Previously, two similar laws had been sidelined using the same tactics, but it seems the people will vote on what they want.

Based on the numbers it looks like Florida will be joining the ranks of states who have decided to take a responsible approach to marijuana policy. This, in combination with Washington D.C and Arkansas who are likely going to pass medical marijuana laws this year, will tip the scales to more than 50% of states who have medical marijuana laws in place. If only it were downhill from there, the states left on the agenda for marijuana advocates have offered difficult resistant, with less citizens supporting the cause for their own reasons.