Charlie Crist's boss, John Morgan to lead pot initiative in Florida
John Morgan, a major fundraiser for President Barack Obama and the boss of former Gov. Charlie Crist, is taking the reins of a Florida medical marijuana initiative, promising to pump major money and political muscle into the popular issue.
Morgan, a top Florida trial lawyer based in Orlando, said he's ready to tap a network of donors and his personal bank account to get the measure in front of voters in 2014 as a proposed constitutional amendment.
"I can get the money. I have the money. I will be joined by people with money who will help," said Morgan. "I've been very fortunate in life, and I can make it happen."
It could cost as much as $3.5 million to fund paid-petition gatherers to collect the valid signatures of 683,149 Florida voters needed to get a measure on the ballot. An ad and absentee-ballot campaign could cost up to $10 million more.
Constitutional amendments need to be approved in Florida with 60 percent of the vote.
Morgan said he hasn't spoken about the issue with Crist or Obama, with whom he had dinner last week. And, he said, he doesn't care whether they support it or not.
Crist, a Republican-turned-independent-turned Democrat, is considering a run for governor. He wouldn't return calls for comment.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/elections/charlie-crists-boss-john-morgan-to-lead-pot-initiative-in-florida/2109431
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