Florida voters overwhelmingly support passing an amendment to legalize medical marijuana, according to a new poll released Monday.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce statewide poll showed nearly two-thirds of voters -- 73 percent -- said they were in favor of Amendment 2, which would legalize medical marijuana for patients with “debilitating conditions.”
Only 22 percent said they would not vote to pass the amendment if the election were held today.
Amendment 2 would allow for the medical use of marijuana by a qualifying patient or caregiver. It would also prohibit physicians from being subject to criminal or civil liabilities under Florida law for issuing a prescription for medical marijuana.
Medical marijuana would only be allowed for use for those with “debilitating” medical conditions which would include cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, and for other conditions which a physician feels using medical marijuana would outweigh the potential health risks for a patient.
That means the average person would not be able to go into a pharmacy and get a prescription unless it was approved by their doctor, who would need to undergo training to be able to provide the medication.
Amendments need to receive 60 percent of the vote in order to be made law in Florida.
This isn’t the first time Floridians have voted on medical marijuana. In 2014, the same amendment went to the ballot, but failed to reach the necessary 60 percent to pass and only received 58 percent of the vote.
Supporters of the amendment say medical marijuana is necessary to provide much-needed relief to patients suffering from serious illnesses, while opponents of the measure say the amendment is too broad and would legalize medical marijuana for anyone, anywhere.
Recent ads from Drug Free Florida, the group opposing Amendment 2, say medical marijuana “isn’t medicine” and criticized the drug in its smokable form. Drug Free Florida is ramping up its efforts to knock the ballot initiative, launching a full-on offensive with ads to urge voters to vote “no” to Amendment 2 on Election Day.
Monday’s poll results fall in line with other surveys which suggest medical marijuana has a high likelihood of passing in November. Recent polls suggest Florida voters are overwhelmingly in support of the amendment, with nearly three-quarters of likely voters supporting the measure.
The Florida Chamber poll of 617 registered voters was conducted from Sept. 15 through Sept. 20 and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.
Voters will vote on the amendment during the general election on Nov. 8.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
