Florida voters weren't ready to legalize medical marijuana in 2014, but the latest Florida medical marijuana polls suggest Amendment 2 will pass today (Tuesday).
According to a St. Leo University poll conducted between Oct. 22 and Oct. 26, 71.3% of Florida voters are in support of the Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, also known as Amendment 2.
In the St. Leo poll, only 21.6% of Florida voters were against Amendment 2, and 7.1% were undecided.
Those results were similar to a Florida Chamber of Commerce/Cherry Communications poll conducted between Sept. 15 and Sept. 20. In that poll, 73% of Florida voters were in favor of legalizing medical marijuana in Florida, 22% were against it, and 5% were undecided.
Currently, Florida does allow medical marijuana use, but it's limited.
The Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014, which became effective on Jan. 1, 2015, allows physicians to prescribe non-smoked cannabis, low in THC, to qualified patients.
In order to be prescribed medical marijuana, the patient must suffer from cancer or a physical medical condition that chronically causes symptoms likes seizures or persistent muscle spasms.
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If Amendment 2 passes, it would allow the use of medical marijuana for treating diseases that include symptoms other than spasms or seizures.
According to Ballotpedia.com, Amendment 2 would allow for medical marijuana treatment in Florida to be extended to those with a variety of chronic illnesses.
Those illnesses are listed in the following chart.
But if Amendment 2 was voted down in 2014, why are more voters in support of it in 2016?
Here's why current Florida medical marijuana polls show Amendment 2 passing...
Amendment 2 in 2016
The difference between Amendment 2 in 2014 and Amendment 2 in 2016 is that this year's version clarifies certain issues voters were concerned with.
The 2016 Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative clarifies the requirements for parental consent for medical marijuana use by minors. It also clarifies what is meant by a "debilitating" illness that would qualify for treatment.
Amendment 2 also makes clear that doctors would not be immune from malpractice claims for negligently prescribing marijuana.
But the main reason why Amendment 2 didn't pass in 2014 is Florida's state constitution requires 60% of a supermajority vote for an amendment to pass.
The majority of voters (57.62%) voted for Amendment 2 in 2014, but it wasn't enough votes to pass.
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Supporters of Amendment 2 include:
- The Florida Democratic Party
- The Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood
- Miami-Dade Young Dems
- State Sen. Dwight Bullard (D-FL)
- State Sen. Oscar Brayon II (D-FL)
But even though the majority supports Amendment 2, there are those still opposed to extending the use of medical marijuana...
Against Amendment 2 in Florida
According to those against Amendment 2, increased medical marijuana access will allow greater use of marijuana by young people. Opponents also argue plant-based medicines have unique quality control problems and that definitions and terms in Amendment 2 are still vague.
That could create opportunities for fraud and abuse, opponents argue.
- The Florida Chamber of Commerce
- The Florida Sheriffs Association
- The Florida Medical Association
- Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw
- Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell
- Madison County Sheriff Ben Stewart
Along with Florida, there will be nine other states voting for marijuana legalization.
Colorado has already netted millions in taxes from legalized marijuana sales. In 2014, Colorado collected $76 million from taxes, and $135 million in 2015.
But local governments aren't the only ones who can profit from the legal marijuana industry.
You see, cannabis is now the gold rush of the 21st century...
The Initiative to Legalize Marijuana in America Is Growing Rapidly...
On Nov. 8, as many as nine states will vote to legalize marijuana. The vote is expected to create one of the biggest wealth grabs in history, transforming everyday Americans into millionaires overnight.
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