Florida Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Legalize Medical Marijuana by Statute Ahead of Ballot Referendum

BRADENTON – Two Florida legislators introduced bills this week to legalize medical marijuana use by statute, since polling data shows overwhelming support for the constitutional amendment already scheduled for the November ballot.

Rep. Joe Saunders (D-Orlando) and state Sen. Jeff Clemens (D-Lake Worth) filed companion bills (SB 962 and HB 859) that would allow doctors to prescribe the drug for specific ailments under tight state regulation.

"The constitutional amendment is very likely to pass," said Saunders at a press conference Monday. "We need to come up with a Florida way to do this and do it right."

Saunders noted that if it passes by amendment, it will be the 2015 Legislature that would have to pass legislation specifying "how will we grow it, how will people who need it get access to it and how will those who are seeking to abuse it receive consequences."