Pubdate: Wed, 22 Oct 2014
Source: Florida Times-Union (FL)
Copyright: 2014 The Florida Times-Union
Contact:  http://www.jacksonville.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/155
Author: Drew Dixon
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal)

JAX CHAMBER BOARD OFFICIALLY OPPOSES LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The JAX Chamber board of directors formally came out in opposition to
the Florida ballot initiative that would legalize the use of medicinal
marijuana.

Early voting is already underway this week where voters are
considering Amendment 2 on the ballot among other electoral issues and
political races with the Nov. 4 election day approaching. But Tuesday,
the JAX Chamber officially opposed the referendum question because of
its wording "ambiguity" and, the board said, it would be bad for
business, despite figures from the marijuana lobby that state otherwise.

"Passage of Amendment 2 will produce uncertainty for small businesses
at a time when we are coming out of one of the biggest recessions in
decades," said Ed Burr, chairman of government affairs for the chamber.

"Businesses, especially small businesses, need a climate that
increases productivity and limits risks and Amendment 2 does the
opposite," Burr said in a news release.

The local chamber's position presents no radical departure from the
general position of chambers of commerce across the country. The
Florida Chamber already has asked voters to vote against the measure
and many other chambers are opposed to the ballot question.

JAX Chamber President Daniel Davis said shortly after the marijuana
initiative was approved to appear on the ballot that he saw no
evidence of a significant boost to business if medicinal marijuana
were to be legalized.

"It's all conjecture," Davis said in a February Times-Union article.
"In my opinion, it's going to be very low [economic impact]."

Supporters of decriminalizing medicinal pot say, however, that the
financial benefits will be huge.

Pro-marijuana industry and development groups say there's little doubt
legal marijuana, even for medicinal use, can provide a huge impact
economically that business leaders in groups like chambers of commerce
should embrace.

The National Cannabis Industry Association cites a recent study by
Arcview Market Research that concluded the national market for
legalized medicinal and adult-use pot generated about $1.44 billion in
industry value in 2013. The projected market for 2014 is $2.34 billion.

California, where medicinal marijuana was legalized 17 years ago, was
the biggest weed industry value-generating state with a $980 million
market in 2013, according to the study.

Public opinion polls in Florida show fluctuations among the public
regarding legalizing marijuana for medicinal use. Earlier this year as
much as 80 percent to 90 percent favored it. A poll of registered
voters a few weeks ago indicated the measure on the ballot had nearly
a 70 percent favorable rating.

But a more recent poll shows Florida voters are beginning to show some
doubts. A Tampa Bay Times report published Oct. 15 indicated support
for the ballot initiative may be eroding. "Only 48 percent of likely
voters said they would vote for Amendment 2. Forty-four percent oppose
it and 7 percent said they had not made up their minds," according to
the newspaper.

The poll was a telephone survey of 781 registered voters in the state,
and all indicated they would likely vote in the Nov. 4 general
election. The poll surveyed respondents between Oct. 7-12 for multiple
news agencies in Tampa and Orlando. It was conducted by the University
of Florida's Bob Graham Center for Public Service and Bureau of
Economic and Business Research.

The proposed state constitutional amendment can be approved only if it
passes with 60 percent of voters casting ballots in favor of the measure.

Marijuana industry advocates have already started setting up the
infrastructure to begin the pot businesses in anticipation of approval
of the measure.

In September in Jacksonville, there were extensive seminars held to
explain how to build a business around the medical marijuana industry.
There have been several First Coast entrepreneurs who have committed
to the industry.

Donnell Vigil, for instance, is the CEO of Quasar Aerospace Industries
Inc. based at Herlong Recreational Airport in western Duval County.
She recently completed the acquisition of a marijuana cultivation
company. She spent $250,000 acquiring Hydro-Grow of Colorado Springs,
Colo., where recreational marijuana use is legal, and she plans to set
up shop here on the First Coast if the amendment is passed.

Richard J. Cebula, finance and economics professor at Jacksonville
University, in a September Times-Union article said there's simply no
denying legal medicinal marijuana will have an economic impact on Florida.

"I believe there is no question there will be a cottage industry
surrounding this phenomena. I have no doubt it will be diverse. I'm
not certain how large it will be," Cebula said.

Still, Burr and JAX Chamber insist that voter approval of legalizing
medicinal marijuana is unnecessary because the Florida Legislature was
already moving toward those efforts. Florida this year approved
"Charlotte's Web" low-THC marijuana to treat some health conditions
such as cancer and epilepsy.

"The JAX Chamber considers Amendment 2 to be unnecessary and does not
support the precedent of amending Florida's Constitution for changes
that can be made legislatively," Burr said.  
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MAP posted-by: Richard