Bankrolled by Big Donors, Florida Ballot Battle Over Medical Marijuana Heats Up

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Come Nov. 8, Florida could be the 26th state to legalize full-strength medical marijuana for patients with cancer, epilepsy and a host of other conditions.

That gives supporters and opponents of Amendment 2 just five weeks to persuade voters. And they've started in earnest, pumping millions of dollars from wealthy donors into TV ads, mailings and recruiting big-name endorsers.

Pro-medical marijuana group United for Care has logged $5.2 million since 2015, most of it from large donors, including a $1 million contribution last week from pot activist group New Approach.

The biggest donor is Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan, whose firm has spent $2.7 million to get the amendment on the ballot this November and has funded some radio ads statewide. On a similar measure in 2014, Morgan spent $4 million, but he does not intend to be United for Care's sole source of money going forward.

"John's position —...

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