In a four-to-three decision, the Florida Supreme Court approved the wording of a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in the state. The court disagreed with Attorney General Pam Bondi, saying the proposal is narrow enough in scope that it won't be confusing to voters.
The ruling means the proposed amendment will go on the November 2014 ballot.
A recent Quinnipiac University poll showed that more than 80% of Florida voters support allowing adults to use pot for medicinal purposes, well above the 60% threshold needed for the amendment to pass.When asked about the issue last week, Governor Rick Scott said he would enforce whatever the law is, but he's personally opposed to legalizing weed.
[Scott]: "I think anybody that is sitting in this office should enforce the law of the land, and I will always enforce the law of the land"
[Reporter]: "Are you going to oppose it politically? Are you going to lead against it?"
[Scott]: "As I have said all along, I am against illegal drug use. I’ve seen how it impacts families. The attorney general gave her best advice to the supreme court.”
Late last Friday, People United for Medical Marijuana, the group tasked with collecting signatures for the amendment, announced they had reached the threshold to get on the ballot. The medical marijuana amendment is being heavily funded by trial lawyer John Morgan, the current boss of Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Charlie Crist.