Advocates in Florida received some encouraging news as lawmakers filed bills in both chambers to bring medical marijuana to the Sunshine State.
House Joint Resolution 353 and Senate Joint Resolution 1028 propose that the question of allowing marijuana for medical use should appear on the 2012 ballot as a statewide referendum, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. If approved by at least 60 percent of the voters, the state constitution would be amended.
It’s the second year in a row that legislation has been filed. Last year the effort stalled out in committee.
Executive Director of The Florida Cannabis Action Network, Jodi James, said, “This is the first time since 1978 that cannabis advocates will have a sustained presence in the Legislature.”
The legislature comes back from winter break tomorrow, and even though neither of the resolutions are on the schedule for a hearing, The Florida Cannabis Action Network say they are pleased that they are in the legislature for a second year in a row. James says the group is also planning on petitioning the Governor, Rick Scott, to ask him to urge the legislature to pass a bill that would bypass the constitutional amendment process and just allow sick people in his state to have access to medical marijuana.
For more information on that effort, you can visit thier website, FLdecides.org. Florida NORML is holding a benefit concert to help raise funds for the effort on February 19th in Fort Lauderdale that will be hosting dozens of musical acts and informational speakers.
