TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Support for cannabis in Florida seems to be burning brighter. An eclectic group of advocates took to the Capitol Tuesday to make sure a possible new law in 2015 doesn't go up in smoke.
A new medical marijuana bill was filed Tuesday in the Florida House that wouldn't allow smokable medical marijuana. Critics called it, "Watered down."
Recommended Videos
People came from all parts of the state and headed to the 22nd floor of the Capitol, the highest place in Tallahassee.
There were the senior citizens.
"Without (medical marijuana), people are suffering," said Pamela Paige, a supporter of medical marijuana. "They can't walk, they can't think."
There were veterans.
"For veterans, Florida sucks, because there's no medical cannabis law," said Al Byrne, with Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access.
There were drug smugglers.
"I served 30 years of a 64-year sentence," said Bob Platshorn, who was with the Black Tuna Gang.
Sen. Jeff Clemens first filed a marijuana bill four years ago.
"The people are either supporting family members, or their own ability to be able to treat their illnesses the way they see fit," Clemens said.
Following the success of Amendment 2 this past election, the hopes of passing a bill have never been higher.
Republicans are now backing a new marijuana proposal, and the sheriffs said they'd support a non-smoking form.
The dozens who showed up said the latest proposal still needs tweaks. But for people like Anneliese Clark and her daughter, Christina, whose seizures have decreased thanks to California pot, they said there's hope.
"She's 76 days without a seizure. She's able to eat again," Clark said.
At the very least, the campaign is on pace to get enough signatures to put a constitutional amendment back on the ballot in 2016.