Florida Legalization Under Fire: Petition Fraud Shakes Up MMJ Access

OMNI Medical
Sep 2
3 min read

🚨 Signature Fraud Threatens Florida’s Legalization Push

The road to cannabis legalization in Florida just hit a speed bump — and this one’s serious. Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Alexandria Mary Beatrice Tatem, a paid petition circulator working to help place recreational cannabis legalization on the 2026 ballot.

Her crime? Allegedly forging a signature using the name of Amy Akins, a deceased voter.

Tatem now faces charges of perjury by false written declaration, a third-degree felony that carries up to five years in prison.

📖 Full story:

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/08/15/a-woman-tried-to-submit-a-petition-supporting-legal-marijuana-in-florida-the-ag-says-one-of-the-signatures-was-forged/

🧠 WDUT? (What Do U Think?)

Petition fraud is rare — but when it happens in a campaign as politically sensitive as cannabis legalization, it can erode public trust and fuel opposition.

Should campaigns be held accountable for the actions of individual contractors?
Do stricter background checks or oversight measures need to be in place?
Or is this just a one-off case that shouldn’t derail the momentum of legalization?

Your voice matters. Voter-driven reform depends on credibility.

🏛️ Federal Lawmakers Reignite Push to Fully Deschedule Cannabis

While Florida battles fraud on the state level, a major federal push is gaining traction in Congress.

Representative Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and over 40 House Democrats have reintroduced the MORE Act — legislation that would:

Fully deschedule marijuana (removing it entirely from the Controlled Substances Act)
Expunge federal cannabis convictions
Establish grant programs for communities impacted by the War on Drugs
Support small cannabis businesses and medical access

If passed, the MORE Act would go far beyond the Biden Administration’s move to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, instead removing cannabis from the list of federally controlled substances altogether. David Koyle, CEO OMNI Medical Services

🔍 WDUT?

Would descheduling make cannabis more accessible and affordable for patients?
Or could it open the door for overregulation and pharmaceutical control?
What does full legalization mean for the medical cannabis model as it exists today?

With conflicting laws at the state and federal level, MMJ patients deserve clarity. Your opinion could help shape that conversation.

🔗 Why These Headlines Matter for Patients — Right Now

Whether you’re a longtime MMJ patient or considering applying for the first time, this week’s news affects you directly:

In Florida, legalization hangs in the balance. Missteps like signature fraud give anti-cannabis lobbyists ammo — and may tighten the rules for future ballot access.
Nationally, descheduling would eliminate many of the barriers MMJ patients face — from banking restrictions to stigma, travel risk, and federal employment complications.

✅ Take Action — Don’t Let Confusion Cost You Care

The safest move? Keep your MMJ card up to date.

If you’re already a patient, renew early to avoid system slowdowns or regulatory gaps.
If you’re new to medical cannabis, start your application now and gain legal protection..

🩺 Apply or Renew with OMNI Medical

We’ll guide you every step of the way — with integrity, clarity, and care.