Michael Minardi is on an extremely difficult mission: to legal medicinal marijuana in Florida. This does not seem like to be too difficult since a ballot to legalize marijuana did not pass in 2014, but Minardi has different plans than those that were used a year ago. Minardi says the difference is that “We’re going to use science, and we’re going to use stats.”
Minardi is an attorney in West Palm Beach who won a case in March that argued medicinal marijuana was a necessity as his client was charged for the possession of pot. Former attorney Bill Wohlsifer and a current cannabis activist, Karen Goldstein, are working with him to try to form a corporation by the name of Sensible Florida. In addition, they are trying to start an associated group called Regulate Florida. Along with these plans, the three have also made an amendment to propose for the constitution of the state that would legalize recreational marijuana for all Floridians 21 or older. The regulations would be that they may buy an ounce, and with a license, grow six plants at their house.
“Realistically, it gives adults the choice to use cannabis for whatever and whenever they want,” Minardi stated. “It doesn’t allow for driving while on cannabis; it limits the age to 21 — much like the way alcohol is sold and regulated. It creates a licenses-regulated system of distribution to make sure we have the safety of the products and safety for consumers as a priority, much like they do in Colorado. Whenever any kind of product is regulated, it makes sure people are getting a safe product.”
During the summer, the Florida Division of Elections gave Minardi and his team permission to begin collecting signatures; overall, the team would need 683,149 verified voter signatures for the amendment to be placed on the November ballot in 2016. Last November, United for Care’s popular initiative to try to legalize medicinal marijuana, but the initiative fell short by only two percentage points. In 2014, a bill was filed in Miami that would allow Floridians 21 and older to buy up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and licensed people to grow up to six plants. However, this bill also was shot down before any chance was given to it in the Legislature.
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