Florida could be the next state to legalize medical marijuana, at least if the public has a say.
A poll conducted by Quinnipiac University found that 82% of Florida voters support medical marijuana use if it is prescribed by a doctor, compared to just 16% who oppose. Support for medical marijuana was present in every political and age group surveyed by Quinnipiac, including Republicans, 70% of which approved.
In a second poll, Florida voters seemed more divided on legal recreational marijuana, with 48% in support and 46% opposing.
“If the folks who want to legalize medical marijuana in Florida can get their proposal on the ballot, they are overwhelmingly favored to prevail next November,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
Supporters of MMJ are working to get a medical marijuana measure on the state ballot in 2014, and the local People United for Medical Marijuana group must round up nearly 700,000 voter signatures by Feb. 1 to make that happen. Currently the group has approximately 200,000 signatures.
Florida’s governor, Republican Gov. Rick Scott, currently opposes medical marijuana, however Democratic challengers to his seat Charlie Crist and Nan Rich support legalization for medical purposes.
But medical marijuana still faces steep opposition from Florida legislators, including state Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has called on the state Supreme Court to block the measure from appearing on the ballot.