Radio listeners driving on the highway on their way to work or school are likely familiar with radio advertisements for mega-law firm Morgan & Morgan, but the latest radio ad coming from Orlando-based lawyer John Morgan isnt one for his law firm -- its about supporting medical marijuana.
The 60-second clip, funded by Morgan himself, is being played on radio stations throughout the state as the debate over legalizing medical marijuana heats up.
In the ad, Morgan pleads with listeners to help those suffering from a wide array of illnesses.
I want to ask you to help tens of thousands of sick Floridians who desperately need your help. They are suffering with illnesses such as cancer, ALS, AIDS, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, debilitating injuries including paralysis, many terminal, begins the ad.
Then comes his familiar introduction.Im John Morgan of Morgan & Morgan, continues the ad.
Pill mills are prescribing dangerous narcotics like candy. People get addicted, and many die. Medical marijuana has been proven to give our loved ones relief they need, helping with pain, appetite, seizures and spasms. Unfortunately, Tallahassee politicians refused to vote on the issue last session. They wouldnt even hear testimony from patients and their families. Therefore, we will take this act of mercy to you, the people.
Morgan then invites listeners to email him directly to join his Army of Angels to help get the measure on the ballot in 2014.
We need you. Lets do this for the people, for the really sick people. God bless you all.
And then the ad is over. Back to your regular scheduled programming.
Morgans radio advertisements are the latest in his efforts to push medical marijuana on the ballot in 2014. In order to do so, hell have to get 700,000 signatures on a petition so medical marijuana can get added to the ballot next year. According to Morgan, volunteers are collecting about 20,000 signatures a week, and People United for Medical Marijuana care said they had gathered over 200,000 petitions and counting by Wednesday.
The issue hits close to home for Morgan, whose father and brother both suffered from cancer and injuries and turned to marijuana to find relief.
"I dont have Bill Gates money, so I gotta do it on John Morgans money," said Morgan.
Morgans been pumping lots of cash into financing the initiative. He used his own money to fund the ads and has already donated over $250,000 to People United for Medical Marijuana over the last three months.
But Morgans proposal has already met some opposition from lawmakers. On Wednesday, House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, and Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, filed a notice with the Florida Supreme Court that they intend to challenge the constitutional question posed by Morgan.
Weatherford and Gaetz expressed concerns that the broad amendment could lead to marijuana shops on every street corner in the state.
Today, the Legislature filed a notice with the Florida Supreme Court regarding the Houses opposition to the proposed amendment to legalize medical marijuana. Our decision to file a brief is not a challenge to the merits of the amendment," Weatherford said in a statement.
"We firmly believe the wording of this amendment is not about legalizing marijuana for serious medical illnesses, but rather creating a path in our Constitution for marijuana shops on every street corner. The ballot summary is misleading and the impact of this amendment is far, far greater than John Morgan and his supporters would like the public to know."
Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, who filed a bill supporting medical marijuana in the Florida House earlier this year, told Sunshine State News she feels Weatherford and Gaetzs concerns are valid.
The last thing I want to do is advocate for a policy that does not address the issues [of addiction and substance abuse], she said. If we have something thats so broad that you can just go get [marijuana] off the street and use for anything, that defeats ... all the work weve done to address substance abuse treatment, addiction issues and also [making] sure that we can provide something thats going to be safe for patients.
Edwards believes voters need to make their voices heard to lawmakers.
We need to hear from the voters directly on this, she explained. This is not a partisan issue. I think that we are just very concerned, as we should be as policymakers, about how we are going to implement a medicinal cannabis scheme in this state.
People United and Attorney General Pam Bondi must submit their written arguments by Nov. 8. Each side's responses to the other side's written arguments are due Nov. 18. The Florida Supreme Court will then hear oral arguments -- 30 minutes for each side -- on Dec. 5.
Reach Tampa-based reporter Allison Nielsen atallison@sunshinestatenews.comor follow her on Twitter at @AllisonNielsen.
