Florida voters nearly passed a medical marijuana initiative two years ago. The actions of state officials and improvements made to the amendment since that time only make the case for approval this November more compelling.

In the spring of 2014, state lawmakers legalized a non-euphoric strain of marijuana known as Charlotte's Web that was found to help children with epilepsy. It was an attempt by lawmakers to show voters that it was unnecessary to pass a broader medical marijuana measure on that fall’s ballot.

Plenty of scare tactics were also used against the measure, which received the support of nearly 58 percent of voters but fell short of the 60 percent needed to pass a state constitutional amendment. Since that time, state officials have proven they're unwilling or unable to address the issue on their own.

An administrative law judge recently found the state Department of Health has made a mess of marijuana regulations, as the Tallahassee Democrat reported. Just one dispensary has opened so far and few physicians are allowed to prescribe cannabis. Another law passed this year allows terminally ill patients to use regular-strength marijuana, but they must first jump through hoops such as getting opinions from two doctors saying they have less than a year to live.

Florida voters now have another chance to ensure medical marijuana is available to patients who need it with Amendment 2 on the Nov. 8 ballot. Opponents are again trying to scare voters to defeat it, but now have to stretch the truth even further to make their case.

Opponents claimed the previous measure would have allowed children to get legal pot without a parent’s knowledge, despite the fact it wouldn't have changed a state law restricting minors from getting medical treatment without parental permission. Amendment 2 removes any doubt by specifically requiring parental consent for medical marijuana use by minors.

This November's version also addresses concerns marijuana could be prescribed for minor conditions. It would only allow marijuana to be prescribed for 10 specific debilitating diseases — include AIDS, cancer and Parkinson's disease — or if a licensed state physician diagnosed a patient with a comparable debilitating condition.

The changes haven’t changed the tune of some opponents. They're again making misleading claims in a big-money campaign against the measure, including $1 million donated by Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.

Thankfully other former opponents have reversed their positions. State Sen. Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg became the first sitting Republican lawmaker to back Amendment 2, arguing the Legislature missed its chance to pass comprehensive medical marijuana legislation.

Brandes told Politico that the "Legislature screwed up the opportunity in the medical marijuana law" believing that "it knows better than physicians on how to treat patients. And the only way we’re going to see meaningful change in that area is to put it in the Constitution.”

Twenty five states have already legalized medical marijuana. Florida residents should have the same ability to avoid the risks of addiction and overdose that come with legal painkillers, and instead use medical marijuana to treat chronic pain, nausea and other conditions that stem from debilitating diseases.

Amendment 2 is a compassionate, common-sense measure. The Sun supported the previous version and only has more reason to encourage voters to finally legalize medical marijuana this November.

— This editorial was written by Gainesville Sun opinion editor Nathan Crabbe and represents the opinion of The Sun's editorial board.