Former Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp is now advocating on behalf of Florida for
Care, the organization pushing for comprehensive medical marijuana legislation.
A separate effort from the new ballot petition introduced last week,
Florida for Care's work is purely centered on legislature, and working with both
parties to secure access for patients with debilitating medical
conditions.
"Former Lt. Governor Kottkamp's vast understanding of
legislative politics and his experience leading the Governor's Office of Drug
Control will, without question, be a huge boost to our efforts," said Daniel
Rogers, Florida for Care's Director of Legislative Affairs.
"I'm proud to
work with Florida for Care on this very important mission. We have a unique
opportunity to bring something compassionate to the table - and respond to the
majority of Floridians - 58% who supported medical marijuana in the last
election," said Jeff Kottkamp.
Kottkamp's efforts on behalf of Florida
for Care are also personal to him:
"Like so many other Floridians who
back medical marijuana, I have my own story. I watched my mother suffer with
cancer for 10 years. I think when we have loved ones and think there is any way
to alleviate their suffering, how can we not do whatever it takes?" Kottkamp
said.
Over 3.3 million people - 58% of voters supported medical marijuana in the
2014 election, garnering roughly 500,000 more voted than Gov. Rick Scott and
more than 900,000 than the opposition. voted in favor of medical marijuana in
2014.
Florida for Care will spearhead
legislation in March of 2015 in Tallahassee, setting the standard for what the
state’s medical cannabis system should look like and how it can function most
effectively. Such a system must balance three core principles: first, safe,
affordable patient access; second, a tightly controlled state regulatory
structure; and third, a robust, free market commercial enterprise.