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 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D