Pubdate: Wed, 02 Sep 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

GROUP TO PUSH AMENDMENT THAT WOULD COMPLETELY LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

Petitions will hit the streets soon for a proposed constitutional 
amendment that would fully legalize marijuana use, possession and 
cultivation by adults in Florida.

A political-action committee called Floridians For Freedom, 
associated with a longtime marijuana-advocacy group called the 
Florida Cannabis Action Network, said Tuesday that it had received 
state approval to begin seeking signatures to get their measure on 
the November 2016 ballot.

The measure is distinct from another amendment drive run by United 
For Care and led by Orlando lawyer John Morgan because Morgan's group 
wants to legalize marijuana for medical purposes only. Floridians For 
Freedom wants it legalized for all uses, including recreation.

Jodi James, chair of Floridians For Freedom and executive director of 
the Florida Cannabis Action Network, described the proposal as 
"ending prohibition" of marijuana under state law.

All the commercial aspects of marijuana would be controlled by rules 
and regulations set by the Florida Legislature and Department of 
Commerce, she said.

"We want it to be legal. We want it to be regulated. We want it 
controlled. We want people to have safe access," James said.

Ben Pollara, campaign director of United For Care, said he believes 
the Floridians For Freedom initiative "has no chance of getting on 
the 2016 ballot." But he wished the group the best.

Floridians For Freedom will have to gather about 67,000 valid 
signatures to get the effort to the next phase, Florida Supreme Court 
review, to make sure the proposed amendment and ballot language meet 
all state requirements.

Then the group will have to gather an additional 600,000 signatures 
to get it qualified for the ballot next fall.

James said the Florida Cannabis Action Network has 20,000 members 
that it will call on to help collect signatures. 
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom