Florida Competes

In Florida, someone can be fired from their job or denied housing simply because they are gay or transgender. It's wrong—but in 2015, we can pass common sense legislation protecting hardworking LGBT Floridians from discrimination.

Contact your legislators and ask them to support HB33/SB156, the Florida Competitive Workforce Act, a law to protect gay and transgender people from discrimination in Florida! Just enter your information on the right to get started. here

What Stogie Had For Lunch

Pressed Cuban

At The Cuban Sandwich Shop, Tampa

Rick Scott: Worst Florida Republican

here

Fort Lauderdale Cop (Pig) Victor Ramirez

"I tell you what to do and you do it. It's that simple."

Florida for Care Bringing Nation’s Leading Drug Reformer

Florida for Care is hosting their first policy conference of 2015 this week. On Friday, February 27, 2015 they will bring Sheriffs, legislators, County Commissioners, advocates, medical professionals and business people together to discuss medical marijuana in Florida. Among those speaking at the conference will be Ethan Nadelmann, Executive Director of Drug Policy Alliance. “We are thrilled to have Ethan back. I suspect he’ll shed light on where Florida goes from here.” Stated Ben Pollara, Executive Director of Florida for Care.

Ethan Nadelmann was present during FFC’s last conference where he touched on Jamaica’s state of affairs in regards to medical marijuana- just over a month later Jamaica, as he predicted, decriminalized marijuana clearing the way for safe, legal access to medical marijuana. He also told guests of the last conference, “Building this industry isn’t just good for business, it’s the right thing to do”.

In addition to Ethan’s Afternoon Keynote speech, there will be panels titled Best Business Practices and Government Regulations.

The Policy Conference is being held at The Westin Colonnade of Coral Gables. The Conference is from 8am to 3pm on Friday, February 27 with a social networking event the evening before from 6:30 to 9pm. Registration is required to join the conference.

For more information on the event or how to become a member email Eric Stevens, Executive Deputy Director, at Eric@floridaforcare

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.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please call Bianca Garza at 407-930-3525 or email her at press@floridaforcare.org 

Local Hero Officer Christina Ammons

 I would like to thank the Florida Voices for Animals group for inviting me to be a guest of honor at their 22nd annual "HAVE A HEART FOR ANIMALS" meeting. I was awarded the "Animal Hero Award" and the group made a donation to the Shrimp Docks Kitty Rescue Project which was awesome! I met a great group of people who are completely dedicated to preventing the exploitation and abuse of all animals. This group is also involved with activities which benefit children and others in need as well as the betterment of our environment . I had a wonderful time and want to thank this great group of individuals for all that they do! here 

Florida Round Table - Alan Grayson

Stop New Oil And Gas Drilling Off America's Shores!

Did you know that after the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill, which dumped more than 130 million gallons of toxic crude oil into the 
Gulf of Mexico, only eight percent 
of that oil was ever cleaned up? Yet the Obama Administration just proposed a disastrous five-year plan that would open up vast portions of the Arctic and the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Georgia to dangerous new offshore oil and gas drilling. here 

The Campaign Against Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Because of her congressional votes and her criticisms of a Florida medical marijuana initiative last year, four political groups that advocate prescription cannabis and drug decriminalization vowed to campaign against the Florida representative if she were to seek a Senate seat in 2016. here

“She’s voted repeatedly to send terminally ill patients to prison. And we’re certainly going to make sure Floridians know that.

Hillsborough County Gives Hollywood $100,000

Director Tim Burton's next movie, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, will start shooting in various locations around both Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties thanks to $100,000 approved by the Hillsborough County Commission. Florida Inc. approved about $200 million dollars in state tax credits over a 5 year period. here