Pubdate: Mon, 03 Aug 2015
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2015 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Note: Rarely prints out-of-state LTEs.
Author: Scott Powers

POLL: MAJORITY OF FLORIDIANS BACK MEDICAL MARIJUANA

A new poll finds that two-thirds of likely Florida voters are willing 
to vote yes for medical marijuana legalization.

The survey, done by St. Pete Polls, finds majority support for 
medical marijuana in every market of the state. Overall, 68.2 percent 
of those surveyed say "yes" when asked: "If the new medical marijuana 
initiative makes it on to the ballot this year will you vote for it?"

"No," got 25.3 percent, and just 6.5 percent said they were undecided.

The poll was taken July 18-28, eight months after a proposed Florida 
constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana drew a 58 
percent vote, and therefore failed to reach the 60 percent approval 
needed to be adopted.

The backers of last year's proposal, United For Care, led by Orlando 
lawyer John Morgan, are collecting signatures now to get the issue on 
the November 2016, ballot.

The proposal would fully legalize medical marijuana in Florida. 
Currently the Sunshine State has a limited medical marijuana law, 
allowing for non-euphoric strains to be processed into medicine to 
treat a limited number of ailments.

St. Pete Polls surveyed 2,788 likely voters through a web-based email 
polling system and reported the results have a margin of error of 1.9 percent.

The St. Pete Polls survey found at least 60 percent positive support 
for a medical marijuana initiative in every region of Florida except 
the Fort Myers area, where it drew 56 percent approval.

The question failed to get 60 percent support from Republicans, 
Hispanics, Asian-Americans, or people ages 70 or older.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom