Although the Pinellas County sheriff declined the opportunity to run for higher office when the CD 13 seat become open in late 2013, Bob Gualtieri displayed major political skills in 2014.
As the legislative chair of the Florida Sheriffs Association, his profile rose dramatically, as he became the face and voice of the FSA in opposing Amendment Two, the 2014 medical marijuana ballot initiative.
“So I think this whole advocacy by the proponents is really subterfuge for general recreational legalization,” Gualtieri told the News Service of Florida last August. “This isn’t about medical purposes.”
The FSA has again come out against medical marijuana this year – this time opposing a bill sponsored in the House by state Sen. Jeff Brandes. Of course, that announcement came after Gualtieri told the Tampa Bay Times he thought he supported the legislation.
Gualtieri also chairs the Florida Sheriffs’ Task Force.
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