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VOTE NO ON 2 SLAMS MARIJUANA INITIATIVE AS A FULL LEGALIZATION

TALLAHASSEE - A group fighting a proposed amendment to allow medical marijuana in Florida released its first web video Monday, attacking the measure as a fig leaf for full-blown legalization of the drug.

The video from Drug Free Florida's Vote No on 2 campaign is posted on its website and isn't running as an ad on television or online.  But it signals the first salvo from those opposed to Amendment 2.

The three-minute video features online searches of California marijuana shops, noting their marketing of marijuana-infused baked goods and other items aren't likely to be for genuine medical ailments.

"Gummi bears and candy bars? Sure looks like medicine," the video's narrator says sarcastically.  "Eat 'em 'til you feel better, right doc?"

In response, United for Care, the group pushing for the amendment, sent a fundraising pitch to supporters, saying opponents were inappropriately comparing its proposed amendment with California's ballot measure.

"In a new video they released, they not only falsely claim Amendment 2 to be similar to the laws in California, they spuriously compare medical marijuana to the pill mills and opioid epidemic that has killed so many people in Florida," the email from United for Care campaign manager Ben Pollara states.

Amendment 2 would allow patients to receive medical marijuana if they are determined by a physician to have a "debilitating" medical condition such as cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS or post-traumatic stress disorder.  Opponents say it has loopholes allowing rampant use for "patients" with dubious conditions.

"If they want to legalize pot they should just say so and let the voters decide.  Instead they're trying to trick everyone again," the narrator in the video states.

Drug Free Florida is ramping up its campaign against the amendment, which received 58 percent support in 2014, narrowly short of the 60 percent required for a ballot measure to be added to the state constitution.