9 Investigates

9 Investigates medical marijuana vote in Florida

9 Investigates researched state records to see who is fighting for and against medical marijuana.

FLORIDA — A poll by Quinnipiac University, released in May, found support for medical marijuana in Florida at 80 percent.  State law requires constitutional amendments pass with at least 60 percent support.

Investigative reporter Christopher Heath spoke with residents about the issue.
Ted Norton has been playing tennis his entire life, but his arthritis keeps him from playing pain-free and sometime she can't play at all.
"I've had three knee surgeries. So just to get up, I get up in the morning, and just stand there for a few seconds," Norton said.
Thirty miles away, Christina Cusack is battling multiple sclerosis.
"It's a matter of going to bed at night, tossing, turning, awake at 4 a.m., my back is killing me," Cusack said.
Norton and Cusack said they are hoping Florida voters approve medical marijuana this year.
But big money is pushing the issue both for and against.
According to records obtained by 9 Investigates, 70 percent of the money raised by "People United for Care" the group backing medical marijuana, has come from one place: the Morgan Law Firm and Orlando attorney John Morgan.
On the other side, "Drug Free Florida" has received 99 percent of its funding from Florida developer Mel Sembler and the Carol Jenkins Barnett Family Trust, the family behind Publix grocery stores.
Two years ago, Morgan was the main backer of the medical marijuana amendment, and the Barnett Family Trust was a major contributor to the "No on 2" movement.
This year, while Morgan hasn't given as much, the opposition hasn't raised as much either.
Drug Free Florida has just 12 contributions, compared with 2014, when there were 99 contributions.
With each side scaled back, people like Cusack are wondering what voters will decide in November.
“This could change my life completely," Cusack said.
One of the big changes this year is that the opposition to medical marijuana does not have a multimillion-dollar donor.
In 2014, casino owner Sheldon Adleson gave Drug Free Florida $5.5 million.
So far, Adleson has not donated any money to the group.

Cox Media Group

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