With the hope of putting an initiative for medical marijuana on Florida's 2010 ballot, UF's chapter of People United for Medical Marijuana is collecting signatures for its campaign.
The initiative would allow patients of cancer, chronic pain, seizures and other diseases to cultivate, purchase, possess and use medical marijuana as prescribed by a doctor.
The campaign must collect signatures of at least 700,000 registered voters and reach 8 percent of the total voters in 13 of the 26 Florida congressional districts, according to William Sanchez, the local chapter director.
The campaign would require 32,146 signatures from District 6, which contains Gainesville, to reach 8 percent, according to Kim Russell, founder of People United. She expects to reach this goal, she said.
In fact, Russell feels confident about the initiative's chances statewide.
"With such a huge elderly population in Florida, a lot of baby boomers are watching their parents die a painful death that could be helped with a little medical marijuana," she said.
Russell also plans to focus on the college student vote, she said.
After her father was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Russell learned that medical marijuana could help treat his symptoms, she said.
But when she spoke to state legislators about the possibility of legalization, they told her it would be at least seven to eight years.
"I decided to do the ballot initiative because I can't wait that long," she said.
The campaign also wants to raise between $5 million and $10 million to pay for political advertising if the initiative reaches the ballot.
The health risks from smoking marijuana are still debated, though lung cancer seems only to be a risk in long-term heavy users, according to several medical research articles on UF Shands Cancer Center Web site.
Currently, 13 states have legalized medical marijuana. New Jersey, Illinois and Minnesota may soon join them.
If the initiative reaches the ballot, People United expects to face resistance from Drug Awareness Resistance Education, Partnership for a Drug Free America and possibly the state government.
