Pubdate: Mon, 30 Dec 2013 Source: Tampa Bay Times (FL) Copyright: 2013 Mike Merino Contact: http://www.sptimes.com/letters/ Website: http://www.tampabay.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/419 Note: Named the St. Petersburg Times from 1884-2011. Author: Mike Merino Re: Locals: Let ill people use pot | Dec. 26 MARIJUANA BUSINESS ALREADY HERE The clock is ticking in the frantic race to obtain the 683,149 valid petition signatures needed by Feb. 1 for the question of whether or not medical marijuana should be on the November 2014 ballot. Out of nowhere this week, I was approached in the employee lunchroom of our local VA hospital by a young man soliciting my signature for this issue. I was rather miffed over the fact that this individual was on a government facility, freely moving from one employee to another, pen and petitions in hand. While I am ambivalent on the overall pot issue, it led me to ask two quick questions of this petitioner: How much are you making to do this, or are you just a staunch supporter of the initiative? He replied: "Two dollars for each person I sign up, and I'm going for 200 signatures today; and I'll get it." And as for the other question, he said, "Of course I'm a supporter; why else would I be here?" Based on his response, it seems that the business of marijuana is already underway in our state. Mike Merino, Tampa - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D