A Florida measure that would allow the use of medical marijuana has cleared its final hurdle to be placed on the November ballot.



The state Supreme Court on Monday approved the language for the proposed constitutional amendment.

The justices approved the ballot summary 4-3 just three days after a petition drive reached the required number of signatures to place the measure on the ballot.

Former Gov. Charlie Crist, who is running for governor again this year, said Monday afternoon that he supports the amendment.

"This is an issue of compassion, trusting doctors, and trusting the people of Florida. I will vote for it," Crist said in a statement. He was Florida's governor from 2007 to 2011, but switched from a Republican to an independent in his final year in office. He became a Democrat at the end of 2012.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate state Sen. Nan Rich also supports medical marijuana, while the Republican incumbent, Gov. Rick Scott, is opposed to it.

Scott explained why he’s against it, as he visited a Miami hardware store Monday to announce a new hurricane tax holiday.

"I'm not in favor of marijuana. I think illegal drug use is not right,” Scott said. “I see how it’s impacted families, same as alcoholism has impacted families. I’m going to be voting against it, but look, the voters are going to decide, it looks like it will be on the ballot, and I’ll be voting against it."

The Supreme Court's decision is a defeat for Attorney General Pam Bondi, who challenged the ballot language by saying it's misleading.



Personal injury lawyer John Morgan has spent about $4 million to place the issue before voters.