In 1997 the Coalition Advocating Medical Marijuana (CAMM) was formed under the direction of Toni Latino. The Board chose a three-pronged plan to change Florida law. The first approach was the timely opportunity of the 1998 Constitutional Revision Commission, a body that meets every twenty years to consider revisions and additions to the state’s Constitution. Coordinated patient testimony at public meetings around the state convinced the Personal Rights Committee to submit Proposal 29, Proposal to create Article I, Section 26, Florida Constitution, allowing the lawful possession, use, and prescribing of marijuana for medicinal purposes. This proposal was rejected “not necessarily because the committee itself disapproves of the idea but because that it is, as they understand it, a legislative and not a constitutional issue.”

The second prong of the original plan launched a statewide medical marijuana petition drive. A team of ACLU lawyers, a doctor, and several seasoned grassroots activists professionally crafted the language. Despite the initial groundswell of media support and a resolution by the Florida Medical Association in 1997 supporting “research into the therapeutic potential of smokeable marijuana,” the funding necessary to successfully complete the initiative was not forthcoming. In addition, Drug Free America Foundation; FDLE; Drug Czar; Save Our Society hindered the initiative with a well-funded; organized strategy to suppress any attempts to relax drug control in Florida.

The process of collecting the petitions throughout the state has produced two district benefits. Signatures are power. Piles of signed petitions by registered voters, one per page, are tools used to convince candidates that their constituents support candidates who support medical marijuana. The second advantage of collecting the petitions is the opportunity to interact with the public and educate them on the issue.

The third prong of the original plan is to lobby the legislature. FL CAN’s If Not You, Who, If Not Now, When? Project has been created to combine the power of our grass roots support with a dedicated campaign. The campaign was launched March 21st timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Shafer Commission Report.

If you would like to join the If Not You, Who, If Not Now, When? campaign and would like to collect petitions see the Guide to Collecting Valid Petitions,
if you would like to simply sign a copy of the petition then get the petition.