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Jimmy Buffett encourages Floridians to vote no on solar power amendment

in Statewide by

Listen up, Parrotheads.

Jimmy Buffett released a video weighing in on two ballot amendments over the weekend. Buffett encouraged Floridians to vote no on Amendment 1, a solar power initiative, and yes on Amendment 2, the medical marijuana initiative.

“It’s obvious what’s going on,” said Buffett in the video. “Vote no on 1.”

Amendment 1 is backed by the state’s major electric companies, and outlines the rules for solar power in Florida. It would put existing law dealing with the rights of homeowners and businesses to own or lease solar equipment into the state constitution.

Opponents to the amendment have blasted the organization behind the amendment for using deceptive tactics. And last week, the Miami Herald reported that Sal Nuzzo, the policy director for the James Madison Institute, described the utility-backed amendment as “political jiu jitsu” to persuade voters to support restrictions on solar expansion.

Buffett threw his support behind the medical marijuana amendment, saying he used it for medicinal purposes after an accident in Australia. He told supporters it is a “great cure.”

“Medical marijuana — duh,” he said.

The proposal would allow people with debilitating medical conditions, as determined by a licensed Florida physician, to use medical marijuana. The amendment defines a debilitating condition as cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among other things.

Both amendments need 60 percent of the vote to become law.

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