Papantonio: Charlotte's Web Is a Life Saving Legalized Marijuana in Florida

[GoLeft TV]

America's Lawyer, Mike Papantonio, appears on The Big Picture with Thom Hartmann to discuss the future of medical marijuana in the state of Florida.

[baldingrockwarlord2]

1. It wasn't Sheldon's money and scare tactics....not entirely.

I think Pap, (and Thom Hartmann) because he is a commentator/pundit feels the need to weigh in on this topic, just like any other issue, but he just seems kind of old awkward and out of touch with what really happened down here in Florida regarding Ballot Measure 2 (medical marijuana). Let me try to give you a boots on the ground perspective.

While it is true that Sheldon and his money helped scare the older folks down here into voting no, it is important to note that YES actually beat NO by a near 16% margin, and over 850,000 votes, and had that been a candidate margin,it would have been declared a decisive landslide. And, further, YES actually had more votes cast for it than votes cast for Rick Scott or Charlie Crist. Clearly, the majority of Floridians do want this.

However, we needed a 60% majority to win and only got approximately 58%, coming up about 141,000 votes short. What beat us was not the “no” vote but the “I don't vote because it's meaningless and doesn't matter”. This is what I call anti establishment, anti gov't voter apathy.

But it gets worse. There are many down here who have no problem going out enjoying their weed recreationally and illegally, and who, just like the above folks, couldn't be bothered to vote on this initiative for the same reasons. Ok for them to smoke it for fun,but for those who need it medically-tough beans. This is what I call anti establishment, anti gov't burnout voter apathy.

It was the “screw it I'm not voting, I don't care” people that lost this for us more so than Sheldon Adelsons money and scare tactics. George Carlin you tube clips help bolster their apathy (the gov't is f&*^ed, we're all f%^&ed, and voting is meaningless). THAT is what hurt us most-Not Sheldon Adelson, although he sure didn't help matters.

Washington DC, Oregon, and even GUAM passed marijuana laws Tuesday while Florida's beach burnouts couldn't be troubled to step up and help.

Jeff Spicoli is a real fun hang, but bogus when it comes to voting......dude.

And that is what older guys like Pap and Thom are missing on this.

Final thought: This is not over for Florida and we will prevail. We were close.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Thanks so much for the detailed explanation.

Even if we think we're following the news, we may not know what's really happening and why. And I think voter apathy was the reason for this whole debacle. I've made a point of asking random people I know if they voted and they mostly look at me kind of blankly. I work on people, but right now it's a tough sell.