Judge interferes with Florida elections process

Yesterday, Leon County Circuit Court Judge Nikki A. Clark disenfranchised over 8,000 Tallahassee voters by ruling that the Practical Law Enforcement Amendment (PLEA)—certified to have enough signatures to be placed on the November 2 ballot by Leon County Supervisor of Elections Ion Sancho—could not be voted on by Tallahassee's citizens because it is "in conflict with, and prohibited by, state law." In reality, the PLEA is entirely legitimate, and Judge Clark has no legal right to stand between the amendment and voters. Her move was the culmination of a naked power play by amendment opponents—including City Attorney James R. English—who seem to fear that the will of voters is against them.

But the battle is not over. While Tallahasseans for Practical Law Enforcement (TPLE) considers an appeal, the City Commission has the authority to ignore Judge Clark and place the amendment on the ballot. That's where you come in.

Please take a few moments to contact the commissioners and urge them to follow the will of the thousands of voters who have demanded that Tallahassee residents be given a chance to vote on the marijuana policy that affects them. City officials' contact information is provided below, along with instructions on how to submit a letter-to-the-editor in the local press. Please be polite, professional, and stick to the central issue: respecting the will of the voters.

City officials

Mayor John Marks

The Honorable Andrew Gillum

The Honorable Debbie Lightsey

The Honorable Allen Katz

The Honorable Mark Mustian

Local newspapers

Tallahassee Democrat

Capitol Outlook Online Forum

FSView

The amendment instructs Tallahassee law enforcement to make enforcement of marijuana laws its lowest priority. Click here to learn more about the PLEA and TPLE.

Please forward this message on to your circle of friends and family in Tallahassee so that the city government learns that it cannot easily ignore the will of Tallahassee voters. Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project.