Sheldon Adelson/GOP pump money into FL to stop medical mj legalization

[RainDog]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/medical-marijuana-opponents-gain-money-and-allies-including-billionaire/2183785

Opponents to a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Florida gained firepower Tuesday when campaign finance records showed that casino magnate Sheldon Adelson had cut a $2.5 million check to bankroll the opposition effort.

Also Tuesday, a coalition led by the Florida Sheriffs Association announced it was launching a separate statewide campaign to defeat the amendment, known as Amendment 2 on the November ballot.

The contribution by Adelson, owner of the Las Vegas Sands casino empire and a heavy contributor to Gov. Rick Scott's re-election effort, not only juices the antimarijuana movement, it effectively brings the medical marijuana debate into this year's governor's race.

The largest proponent of Amendment 2 has been John Morgan, an Orlando trial lawyer and chief supporter of Scott's top Democratic rival, Charlie Crist.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz - Which side are you on?

ETA: For those who want to make false claims against the legalization movement - please note AGAIN, while an amendment is under consideration, we have LAW ENFORCEMENT officers claiming that legalization of marijuana will cause crime rates to soar. It's in the link I provided.

oh, and who is saying this? Grady Judd. Who is Grady Judd? Why, he's the guy whose remarks were posted by an anti-legalization propaganda supporter here on DU the other day. Here's the link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025064189

"This amendment as a matter of fact is a wolf in sheep's clothing," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, president of the Florida Sheriff's Association.

He warned that the proposed amendment is "cleverly written" for "use and abuse," will lead to children legally obtaining marijuana and predicted crime rates will soar.

"You will pay more taxes because it's going to take more policing,'' he said.

From the previous thread:

"This is just another example of marijuana abuse linked to child abuse," Judd said.

So, clearly Judd is a propagandist working with Republicans and their backers in Florida - and these same people have advocates here on DU who defend their propaganda. Just so you know what's what here, DU-ers.

[Jesus Malverde]

1. Interesting...nt

[RainDog]

2. Wasserman Schultz is on the wrong side of this issue

Major Democratic donor John Morgan blasted the national party’s chair, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, as an “irritant” who is becoming “irrelevant” after she voiced concerns about a medical marijuana proposal he helped put on Florida’s ballot this November.

“I know personally the most powerful players in Washington, D.C. And I can tell you that Debbie Wasserman Schultz isn’t just disliked. She’s despised. She’s an irritant,” Morgan, an outspoken Orlando trial attorney, told the Miami Herald.

“Why she’s trying to undermine this amendment I don’t know,” he said. “But I’ll tell you I will never give a penny or raise a penny for the national party while she’s in leadership. And I have given and helped raise millions.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/06/06/4162344/major-democratic-donor-bashes.html#storylink=cpy

Women tend to more conservative about the issue of marijuana legalization than men - this stems from the traditional role of a female in American society as the "moral compass" looking out for what she thinks are the best interests of her children.

I'm assuming that might be part of Wasserman Schultz's positioning - but maybe it's just that she's on the wrong side of this issue because she aligns with others on the wrong side of this issue like Patrick Kennedy.

Democrats who are on the wrong side of this issue, however, will find little to no support among the Democratic base that overwhelmingly supports legalization - not to mention big money donors like the guy, above.

I won't support any woman who isn't pro-legalization. As a woman, I expect women leaders who can be forward thinking, not reactionary, and who will look at an issue and weigh the rational reasons for support - based upon science, medicine, and good public policy, not women who want to do something "for our own good" - when that's rarely been the case for any sort of law that targets personal behavior.

Women aligned with the KKK over prohibition back in the day, too. They were wrong about that issue as well, but, under the circumstances, when it was legal to beat your wife, I can understand why women did this - but now - there's no justification for a woman to be in the anti-legalization camp when studies indicate teen usage does not increase in places with legal medical marijuana.

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/news/20140425/legalizing-medical-marijuana-doesnt-raise-teen-pot-use-study-says

Better to regulate and keep this out of the hands of illegal dealers who have no motivation to avoid sales to minors.

[Jesus Malverde]

3. I've heard that legalization is a libertarian agenda.

I wonder about you RD, which side are you on!



I've been not working on changing hearts and minds on the cannabis issue as I've been in Japan and they lock you up for six months and then deport you for possession. I miss my medicine. Back in a couple weeks, you'll see me back in the mix.

[RainDog]

4. LOL

I guess someone forgot to tell all the state Democratic Parties who have included mj legalization in their planks since 2010.

Have fun in Japan!

Enjoy the shunga, if you can't enjoy the ganja. (I have a female artist friend whose paintings look like shunga - she's a Democrat who supports both shunga and ganja!)

Look forward to seeing you here again.