Anti-marijuana group ramps up spending

A group fighting a proposed constitutional amendment that would broadly legalize medical marijuana spent nearly $1.4 million from Sept. 10 through Sept. 16, with much of the money going to advertising, a new finance report shows.

The Drug Free Florida committee spent a total of $1.385 million during the period, with all but about $70,000 of that amount going to New Jersey-based Jamestown Associates for "media placement," according to the report posted Friday on the state Division of Elections website.

The Drug Free Florida committee played a key role in defeating a proposed constitutional amendment in 2014 that would have legalized medical marijuana. Supporters of the 2014 initiative, led by Orlando attorney John Morgan, are trying to pass a similar measure this November.

The Drug Free Florida committee got a boost this month when it received a $1 million contribution from Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson.

As of Sept. 16, the committee had about $1.1 million in available cash, the new report shows.

 

 

Information provided by The News Service of Florida.