United for Care, the main organization advocating for passage of Amendment 2,
is responding to the No on 2 campaign's first television :30 second spot
entitled "Not What it Seems." The spot criticizes Amendment 2's provisions
allowing for caregivers who would assist gravely ill Floridians in securing and
administering medical marijuana as recommended by their physicians.
"For the No on 2 campaign to use its first television spot to attack
caregivers in Florida is beyond outrageous," said Ben Pollara, Campaign Manager
at United for Care. "It is obvious that all of their other specious arguments
have failed to garner public support, so they've turned to casting undue
suspicion and aspersions on those who sacrifice their lives every day to care
for the sick and suffering. We are all literally speechless."
Bob Jordan, who has used medical marijuana to take care of his wife Cathy, an
ALS sufferer for almost 30 years, was confused by the spot’s assertions.
“I'm not a politician so maybe that's why this doesn't make sense,” said Bob
Jordan. “What I’m hearing is that my wife should stay a criminal because
otherwise I'll become a criminal. I just don't get it. Why should either of us
be criminals?”
"The contrast between our campaigns could not be more stark, said Ben
Pollara. “They are looking to criminalize the patients and those who would offer
them comfort while we are looking to enable compassionate care for the
suffering."
"I think their ad will fall flat, no doubt about it," said Pollara.
"Floridians know who caregivers are and the sacrifices they make, in fact
increasing numbers of them are playing that very same role today," added
Pollara. "Outrageous scare tactics like the ones displayed in this spot will
only increase support for Amendment 2 among Florida voters."
For more information or to schedule an interview with Ben Pollara, please
call Maurizio Passariello at 786.285.6398 or email him at press@unitedforcare.org.
