9 Investigates new initiative to get medical marijuana on ballot

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Medical marijuana is once again an election-year issue. After narrowly missing the mark in 2014, the group pushing for legalization is back again, saying it's on track to re-write state law.

But Channel 9 investigative reporter Christopher Heath discovered there are still some major hurdles that could keep the measure off the ballot in 2016.

Last year, more Florida voters approved medical marijuana than voted for another term for Gov. Rick Scott. But re-election only requires a simple majority. The marijuana amendment needed 60 percent approval from voters. It came up two points shy.

So Heath asked Bill Frizzell and his wife, both Orange County residents, if they’re optimistic that 2016 will be different than 2014.

“Yes, absolutely," said Bill Frizzell.

Bill and Melanie Frizzell are part of the push for medical marijuana. Melanie Frizzell suffers from multiple sclerosis.

Medical marijuana offers an alternative to prescription drugs.

“I can't afford for this not to pass,” Melanie Frizzell told Heath. “This is my only shot right now.”

But getting medical marijuana on the ballot still has a way to go.

The campaign needs 683,000 signatures, which it says it has.

However, state law mandates those signatures come from 14 of Florida's 27 congressional districts.

But, with the Florida Supreme Court approving the ballot language for 2016, supporters say this time the amendment will pass.

“I think we just need to get the information out there properly,” Bill Frizzell said.

And that could be the real challenge.

Earlier this year, the Florida Sheriff's Association renewed its opposition to medical marijuana.

But it wasn't the Sheriff's Association that stopped the amendment in 2014; it was casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who bankrolled the opposition.

So far, there is not a similar, well-funded group. But the election is still 11 months away.

While there may not be funding in opposition of medical marijuana at this point, the funding supporting the amendment continues to come mainly from Orlando attorney John Morgan, who was the driving force behind 2014's failed amendment as well.

Cox Media Group