Medical Marijuana to Début On Florida's 2014 Ballot
Commerce, CA (PRWEB) January 31, 2014 -- The controversial debate regarding medical marijuana has taken a surprising turn in a Southern state. In November 2014, Florida voters will decide whether medical marijuana will be legalized in the state. Recently, the Supreme Court approved an initiative that will add this proposal to the ballot. The measure squeaked by in an important 4 to 3 decision.
According to the Miami Herald, this is a major victory for Orlando personal injury lawyer, John Morgan, who invested $4 million on the petition to ensure this legislature makes the ballot. In a crushing defeat, the Attorney General fought tooth and nail to remove the question from the ballot. The Republican Party leadership, which includes Governor Rick Scott, opposed the initial wording of the measure, indicating that it was general and deceptive, leading voters to assume any individual could purchase marijuana for even the slightest medical ailment.
The Miami Herald reported that in the past, Florida lawmakers have made it clear that they do not intend to amend the state’s constitution to legalize marijuana for any use. In 2012 alone, approximately 800 marijuana growing operations were raided and shut down by the Department of Agriculture leading to over 700 arrests. Also in recent years, anti medical marijuana lobbyists have helped to prevent the legalization of the drug in Florida by passing House Bill 1139 preventing anyone willing to fake a condition during a medical visit to be given cannabis.
In November, if 60 percent of the voters approve the petition, Florida will be heralded as the first Southern state to approve medical marijuana and join the likes of 20 additional states and the District of Columbia. Local polls have indicated strong support for the measure. If the initiative is approved, in 2015, medical marijuana dispensaries will begin to appear supplying those in need with marijuana.
Four Florida Supreme Court justices voted in favor of the ballot citing that the language was clear that medical marijuana will be used for the sole purpose of treating medical issues. Further, they felt the ballot title and summary impartially informs voters of the purpose behind the amendment.
On the opposing end were three justices. They stated that this title and summary are completely misleading the voters in that by stating medical marijuana can be used for those with debilitating diseases and those with debilitating conditions that may not be a disease.
If the initiative is approved in November, it could drastically change the economy by creating many medical marijuana dispensaries. A company spokesperson for A & A Global Imports noted that, “A & A Packaging will be able to fill Florida’s medical marijuana packaging needs if the legislation passes.” Packaging companies, like A & A Packaging, will add a new market segment to their repertoire to fill the demand.
If the legislation does pass and regulations are implemented, it is clear that companies like A&A Packaging will be well prepared to manage all of Florida’s medical marijuana packaging requirements. A&A Packaging offers dispensaries and collectives a vast selection of individually state compliant marijuana packaging bottles and vials, visit http://www.vialsondemand.com.
The Miami Herald
01/24/2014
http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/01/24/3890722/medical-marijuana-has-enough-signatures.html
Rick Yu, A&A Packaging, http://www.vialsondemand.com, +1 888-315-2453 Ext: 1010, [email protected]
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