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Drive To Legalize Medical Marijuana Has Cost Millions

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - The legalization of medical marijuana will go before Florida voters this year, but for its backers, getting to this point has come with a heavy cost.

People United for Medical Marijuana reported Monday that it had spent roughly $4.6 million through the end of January, with Orlando trial attorney John Morgan shouldering much of the cost.

The Morgan Firm PA loaned the campaign $990,000 in January while PUMM received enough signatures to get on the ballot and receive clearance from the Florida Supreme Court for the wording on the ballot.

In all, the group received $79,642 in contributions in January, bringing its overall total to $2.5 million. That does not include loans to the group.

Medical marijuana has polled very well in recent years and two states have cleared the use of recreational marijuana this year.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service Of Florida contributed to this report.)

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