Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Democratic Party Spending Big To Aid Medical Marijuana Amendment

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
Cherie Diez
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

The Florida Democratic Party has spent $200,000 during the past month to back a proposed constitutional amendment that would broadly legalize medical marijuana, according to records posted on the state Division of Elections website.

The latest reported contribution, $50,000, was made on Oct. 7, while contributions of $100,000 and $50,000 were made in September. The money has gone to People United for Medical Marijuana, which has spearheaded efforts to pass what is known as Amendment 2 on the November ballot.

The group raised a total of $201,450 from Oct. 1 through Oct. 7, with nearly a quarter of that money coming from the Democratic Party, according to a newly filed finance report. Another $125,000 came from Coral Gables resident Barbara Stiefel, who has been a major financial backer of the initiative.