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Drug Free Florida Committee
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| Drug Free Florida Committee | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Tallahassee, Florida |
| Type: | PAC |
| Year founded: | 2014 |
| Website: | Official website |
Drug Free Florida Committee, a Florida-based PAC, was created to oppose the legalization of medical marijuana in Florida. The PAC opposed the passage of Florida's medical marijuana initiative in November 2016.[1] The committee opposed Florida's Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative in 2014 as well.[2]
Mission
According to the Drug Free Florida Committee's website, the committee's mission was described as follows:[1]
| “ |
We are a grassroots campaign bringing the truth about amendment 2 to the voters of florida. Our coalition includes members of law enforcement, business leaders, constitutional law attorneys, doctors and other medical professionals, parents and floridians from all walks of life. We know that amendment 2 is simply a guise to legalize pot smoking in florida and our goal is to point out the loopholes and explain why this amendment is bad for florida.[3] |
” |
Background
Drug Free Florida Committee was established in early 2014 to oppose Florida's Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative, which was to appear on the November ballot. The group was chaired by Carlton E. Turner, who served under Ronald Reagan as the deputy assistant to the president for drug abuse policy in the 1985.[4][5] Prior to that, Turner was the senior policy adviser for drug policy under Reagan.[4]
Political activity
Ballot measure activity
2016
Drug Free Florida Committee opposed Florida's 2016 Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative, Amendment 2. In July 2016, the committee received an $800,000 contribution from the Carol Jenkins Barnett Family Trust; Carol Jenkins Barnett is the daughter of George Jenkins, the founder of Florida-based Publix Super Markets.[6] According to WPBF-ABC, the committee, as of July 2016, had $1.67 million in cash on hand.[6]
The measure, if passed, would have allowed the "medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not immunize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana."
2014
In 2014, Drug Free Florida Committee opposed Florida's Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative.[2] The committee raised several million dollars to oppose the campaign, at least $2.5 million came from Sheldon Adelson, the Las Vegas casino owner.[2] Carol Jenkins Barnett Family Trust had contributed $540,000 to the committee as well.[6]
The amendment sought to legalize the growing, selling, and possession of marijuana to treat medical conditions. The amendment needed a 60 percent vote to pass, but received only 58 percent.[7]
Overview of ballot measure support and opposition
The following table details Drug Free Florida Committee's ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:
| Ballot measure support and opposition for Drug Free Florida Committee | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ballot measure | Year | Position | Amount | Status |
| Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization, Amendment 2 (2016) | 2016 | Opposed |  Approved
| |
| Florida Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative, Amendment 2 (2014) | 2014 | Opposed | 
| |
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Drug Free Florida Committee'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
- Florida Right to Medical Marijuana Initiative, Amendment 2 (2014)
- Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization, Amendment 2 (2016)
- People United for Medical Marijuana
- John Morgan (Florida)
- Sheldon Adelson
- Ronald Reagan
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Drug Free Florida Committee, "Home," accessed July 26, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 The Huffington Post, "Sheldon Adelson Funds Florida Anti-Medical Marijuana Campaign," June 11, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The American Presidency Project, "Appointment of Carlton E. Turner as Deputy Assistant to the President for Drug Abuse Policy," accessed July 26, 2016
- ↑ Department of State, Florida, "Drug Free Florida, Registered Agent Appointment (March 10, 2014)," accessed July 26, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 WPBF-ABC, "Daughter of Publix founder gives $800,000 to fight pot," July 25, 2016
- ↑ The Orlando Political Observer, "John Morgan lays out path to victory for medical marijuana in Orlando," January 28, 2016
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