The Campaign to Legalize Medical Marijuana in Florida

Medical Marijuana Legalization in Florida

UPDATE

The hard work of John Morgan and United for Care, along with all supporters of medical marijuana, has paid off. In November 2016, Floridians voted in favor of Amendment 2, reversing the slight loss of 2014.

The 2016 Initiative

The march toward the 2016 election officially began as John Morgan and United For Care submitted a revised amendment to the state’s Division of Elections in early January. Like the previous attempt, the Florida Secretary of State had to approve the petition. Before the new and improved Amendment 2 could be added to the 2016 ballot, over 68,000 signatures had to be collected. Once that was accomplished, the state Supreme Court reviewed the ballot’s language for legal requirements. To ensure the initiative’s inclusion on the election ballot, a total of 683,140 signatures needed to be collected by February 1, 2016.

According to Morgan, the 2016 version, titled "Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions," made clarifications to address concerns raised by opponents.

“The language and the essence of the amendment are essentially the same,” Morgan said. “What I would say is that we have tweaked or clarified positions that were constantly brought up by our opposition to help us talk more freely about the real issue, which is the legalization of medical marijuana.”

United for Care and John Morgan’s Advocacy

Attorney John Morgan has been at the forefront of a grassroots initiative to legalize medical marijuana in Florida. With the backing of United for Care, Morgan dedicated himself to gathering voter support for the 2014 general election ballot. Florida was poised to join 19 other states that had already legalized medical marijuana.

A 2013 poll by People United for Medical Marijuana (PUFMM) showed that 73% of Floridians supported legalization. With the petition gaining traction, Morgan pledged to use his resources to rally support, raising funds and awareness while organizing a door-to-door campaign to collect signatures.

“It’s not so much a law but an act of compassion.”

Personal Motivation

Morgan’s advocacy is deeply personal. His father, who was initially anti-drug, found relief from the symptoms of cancer and emphysema through medical cannabis in his final days. Additionally, Morgan’s brother, who was paralyzed at 18 due to a traumatic accident, has also benefited from medical marijuana.

“This would be what I would call the opposite of California.”

While advocating for medical marijuana, Morgan also addressed concerns that Florida would turn into California, where marijuana laws have been criticized for being too lenient. He assured opponents that Florida’s law would be much more regulated, focusing strictly on the chronically and terminally ill.

History of Medical Marijuana in Florida

Florida lawmakers have historically resisted medical marijuana legalization. In 2013, Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 49, also known as the Bong Ban Bill, which prohibited the sale and possession of smoking devices commonly used for marijuana.

In 2012, authorities shut down nearly 800 marijuana-growing operations, seizing over 37,000 plants and making more than 700 arrests. Legislative efforts to legalize medical marijuana, including Florida’s House Bill 1250, failed to gain traction.

Opponents claimed that legalization would lead to abuse and crime, arguing that it would turn Florida into another California. However, supporters, led by Morgan, continued to push for reform.

Despite opposition, Morgan’s leadership in the movement has been instrumental in changing public perception and advocating for the rights of patients who could benefit from medical marijuana.