It came oh so close to passing.
A constitutional amendment that would have legalized medical marijuana in Florida needed 60 percent approval. It got 57.62 percent in the Nov. 4 general election.
The measure would have permitted the sale and use of marijuana for a "debilitating medical condion" and would have guaranteed the following:
- Medical use of marijuana by a qualifying patient or personal caregiver would not be subject to criminal or civil liability or sanctions under state law.
- A licensed physician would not be subject to criminal or civil liability or sanctions for issuing medical marijuana to a person diagnosed with a "debilitating medical condition" under state law.
- Registered medical marijuana treatment centers would not be subject to criminal or civil liability or sanctions under state law.
A "debilitating medical condition" as cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, hepatitis C, HIV, AIDS, ALS, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease "or other conditions for which a physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for a patient."
Debate raged for months leading up to the election, with supporters saying Floridians should be empathetic to those suffering from terrible illnesses and allow them whatever help they can get and opponents arguing the amendment had loopholes that could allow far more marijuana on the street than intended.
Orlando trial lawyer John Morgan led the fight for legalization, spending $4 million of his own money and championing the cause in debates, TV ads and a now-famous profanity-laced speech to a group of young voters.
Opponents included the Florida Sheriff's Association, Florida Medical Association and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.
"Our objection has been against the horrible way that Amendment 2 was written, therefore creating de factor legalization," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
Supporters have vowed to take the fight to legalize medical marijuana to the Florida Legislature, which craft a law allowing for it.