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In Debate Over Medical Marijuana, Some See Dollars

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WEST PALM BEACH (CBSMiami/AP) — Entrepreneurs putting pressure for passage of medical marijuana in Florida say it could bring billions of dollars worth of economic growth.

The campaign in support of Amendment 2 has emphasized it would help suffering patients. But it also could stir job creation and business growth in the opening of marijuana dispensaries and everything from legal services to lab testing to agriculture.

The state Department of Health has estimated sales of medical marijuana could total anywhere from $331 million up to $5.6 billion. That, in turn, could increase sales and property tax collections.

David Hart of the Florida Chamber of Commerce says any possible economic growth brought is "absolutely not the kind of business expansion that we would hope to see."

(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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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 Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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