Florida voters will have the chance to let more people have medical marijuana available to more people this November. Up for the referendum is an Amendment 2, a constitutional amendment that would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to patients with an expanded list of debilitating illnesses. United for Care, a/k/a People United for Medical Marijuana, has received nearly 7,000 contributions, mostly from individuals. Some are for as little as $1. The occupations listed show that supporters come from all walks of life—teachers, health food store owners, physicians, unemployed, retired, disabled. The vast majority are under $100. In 2016, People United for Medical Marijuana received more than $500,000. Nearly $83,000 came in during July.
There also are much larger contributions from organizations and business entities. It’s no surprise that the medical marijuana industry has made large contributions:
— Altmed, a cannabis firm, gave a total of $29,000
— The CEO of High Hopes Gourmet gave $2,000
— Other individuals who listed their occupations as “cannabis consultant” or “CEO, cannabis firm” gave $5,000.
The Main Man
By far the biggest contributor is The Morgan Firm, a personal injury law firm in Orlando, which gave nearly $2.8 million to the 2016 campaign. John Morgan, a partner, is one of the movers responsible for the petition to put Amendment 2 on the ballot. He promotes the cause on the firm website. He’s a believer in medical marijuana because members of his family were greatly helped by it.
Bigger Money Opposes Medical Marijuana
Drug Free Florida is the main organization opposing Amendment 2. The database at the Florida Election Commission shows that it received contributions from 11 entities—nine individuals, one trust, and one real estate development company.
Despite the small number of donors, Drug Free Florida is way ahead in the fundraising game. The Carol Jenkins Barnett Family Trust donated $800,000 with just one check. Jenkins Barnett is the daughter of George Jenkins, who founded Publix, the successful Florida grocery chain. She recently stepped down from her position as Chair of the Board of Directors for health reasons.
Mel Sembler, a real estate developer and major Republican fundraiser, gave a total of $1 million, in three separate checks. Sembler has been a vociferous opponent of medical marijuana for many years. He served on President Reagan’s White House Conference for a Drug-Free America. He also was an adviser on drug policy to President Bush and to Florida’s former Republican Governor Bob Martinez.
Not Exactly Colorado
Opponents of Amendment 2 claim it is a stealth campaign to enact recreational marijuana. But don’t get out the brownie mix just yet, Floridians. The current law allows doctors to prescribe low-THC cannabis to people with cancer or with disorders that cause seizures, muscle spasms, or similar symptoms. The amendment would add glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and”other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to those enumerated.”
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