United For Care Gathers Enough Signatures for Medical Marijuana Ballot Initiative

United For Care has gathered enough signatures for its petition to get medical marijuana on the ballot, according to campaign manager Ben Pollara.

The initiative had gathered710,508 valid signatures as of Friday afternoon.

"It's official: The supervisors of elections have validated enough of our submitted signatures to place us on the ballot in November -- more than the 683,149 we needed and in the required number of congressional districts," wrote Pollara on Friday. "This is an amazing feat. I have to admit, less than a year ago I never thought we'd see this day -- but thanks to your support and hard work, we were able to make history together. I want to thank everyone involved in this campaign -- particularly our staff, donors, petition collectors and volunteers -- for making this possible."

Although the initiative has gathered enough signatures to be on the ballot, it would still need to be upheld by the Florida Supreme Court, who will make their decision regarding the amendment's language before April.

Pollara also asked Floridians to donate to United For Care, saying the group needed to raise $20,000 by the end of the month to "get this new phase of the campaign off the ground" to get 60 percent of Floridians to support the amendment come November.

One of the group's key donors, Barbara Steifel, offered to match any donation made between now and 11:59 p.m., Jan. 31.

"That task is going to require a very quick ramp up of this campaign -- and it's going to be expensive," said Pollara. "Thank you, again, to everyone who helped us pass this critically important point in the campaign. Together we will bring medical marijuana to the thousands and thousands of seriously ill Floridians who are desperate for relief."