Medical marijuana loses in Florida — even though it got majority support

The medical marijuana amendment in Florida appears poised to lose, based on unofficial results reported by the Sun Sentinel. Although the measure will likely end up with a majority of the vote, it falls short of the 60 percent approval required for constitutional amendments by Florida law.

Florida's Amendment 2 would have legalized marijuana to treat "debilitating medical conditions" such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, hepatitis C, HIV, AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, or "other conditions for which a physician believes that the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks for a patient." The Florida Department of Health would have been required to set up regulations for medical marijuana cards and treatment centers.

Florida would have been the first Southern state to allow marijuana for medical or recreational purposes.

The amendment could end up back on the ballot in two years. Prior to Election Day, one of the main financial supporters of the measure vowed to try again in 2016 should it fail.

Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, DC, are voting on full marijuana legalization this Election Day, but results are still pending.

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