Manatee Co. couple push to legalize medical marijuana in FL - WFLA-TV Newschannel 8

Manatee Co. couple push to legalize medical marijuana in FL

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TALLAHASSEE, FL -

A Manatee county couple went on a mission in Tallahassee today, to push for the legalization of medical marijuana in Florida.

Cathy Jordan has Lou Gehrig's disease. She was given three years to live in 1991, but she's still going. Cathy and her husband believe it's because of marijuana that Robert grows at their home. Deputies raided the house in February and took the plants. No charges were pressed, but Robert said even if he was charged with a crime, he wouldn't stop growing pot.

"The way I know it works and been keeping her alive," says Robert Jordan. "If you take the cannabis out of the picture she gets sick. You put it back in a picture she starts getting better again. Back to normal."

The Jordans met with lawmakers and staff throughout the day, and they say it's been an uphill battle. As part of their campaign, the couple have formed the Florida Cannabis Action Network. Executive director Jodi James says new polling shows the majority in Florida support medical marijuana.

"Seven out of 10 Floridians are saying that they absolutely support medical cannabis and safe legal access to this medicine by Floridians," said James. "It was something we kind of expected."

State Senator. Bill Galvano, who represents the Jordans' home town, isn't convinced yet; but he's willing to listen.

"So at this point I'm not prepared to change my position, but it is certainly something that I'll look at for my constituent," said Senator Galvano.

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana.

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