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New Campaign: Bud or Bud Treat Them The Same – August 11, 2015

Press Coverage, Recreational Marijuana / August 11, 2015 September 24, 2015

This article was originally written by Nick Evans for WFSU here.

Floridians may have two marijuana initiatives on the 2016 ballot. The organization Regulate Florida is pushing to legalize adult recreational use of the drug.

You can listen to the interview here

Outspoken personal injury lawyer John Morgan is bankrolling another attempt to bring medical marijuana to Florida through the ballot box. Now Tallahassee attorney Bill Wohlsifer says the state should go even further. He’s part of an organization called Regulate Florida, and it’s pushing to treat cannabis like alcohol.

“This will be a regulated product,” Wohlsifer says. “So it will be safe it will be controlled in quantity, and it’s a national movement in this direction and we think the time’s right for Florida.”

The measure would allow adults over the age of 21 to purchase marijuana for recreational use.

Bill Wohlsifer Will Remove Cannabis from Schedule I

General Commentary / October 17, 2014 September 24, 2015

by Matt Wright

We have been living in an outdated society. The norms of yesterday should no longer be held as the standard today. Unfortunately, the leaders of this country are more concerned with special interest groups, and lobbyists who want to keep Cannabis out of the hands of patients across the country. Historically there has not been a leader who would stand up to these entities and tell them their time is over. There needs to be a person who is willing to go to bat for their constituents and allow them the control to make decisions regarding their medical and personal freedoms. Until now.

Bill Wohlsifer is the Libertarian candidate for Attorney General in Florida. He is making waves in the political world by breaking the mold of the leaders in this country by wanting to put the power of the control back in the hands of the people instead of federally funded bureaucrats who claim to know more about what is best for each individual, rather than the individual themselves. Mr. Wohlsifer believes we, as people, should be able to make decisions on our health freedoms ourselves, without the fear of government or police intervention in our most personal and private decisions.

As evidence of the fact that Mr. Wohlsifer wants to give the freedom to choose back to the people of Florida he has outlined a plan that should be making news across the country, but due to a media blackout on third party candidates he hasn’t been able to get his message out to the people he believes matters most…the voters. His plan would remove the plant of the genus Cannabis completely from Schedule I of the Florida’s Controlled Substance List. This would be an unprecedented action, that would change the way Florida looks at almost every factor of their state.

Mr. Wohlsifer has stated that Cannabis with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level of greater than 0.8 percent would be removed from Schedule I and moved to Schedule II. Any Cannabis with a THC level of .8 percent to 0.3 percent would be moved to Schedule III and Cannabis with a level lower than 0.3 percent would be removed from Florida’s Controlled Substance List. This would redefine all levels of Cannabis and change the way the world views the medicinal value of this plant.

Once Cannabis has been removed from Schedule I a doctor would legally be able to recommend the plant for medical purposes, without the need of a Florida Constitutional Amendment. Also, by removing Cannabis with THC levels of .3 percent and lower would effectively remove hemp from the controlled substance list, allowing for industrial hemp to be grown and produced in Florida. Mr. Wohlsifer has already outlined his plan for industrial hemp on the website Hemp4Water.com.

This is the type of leadership we need in Florida, as well as the rest of the country. We need leadership not being handcuffed by special interest groups, and back room policy deals. It is time we elect officials who are willing to stand up for what they believe, especially if they believe in giving rights and freedoms back to the voters, as opposed to big government groups whose main goal is to approve the medicines produced by the highest donors.

Matt Wright is a writer and political activist living in south Florida. He has a BS in communications and is currently working for the Bill Wohlsifer for Attorney General campaign. To hear more from Matt you can follow him on Twitter at @mrwright79 or like him on Facebook.

End the War on Drugs

Billy's Blog, General Commentary / October 9, 2014 October 9, 2014

by Matt Wright

The War on Drugs has failed. There is simply no other way to put it. America has been dealing with over 70 years of prohibition and all that has truly been achieved is the increased influx of children illegally crossing America’s southernmost borders, and increased funding for excessively militarized police forces through federal grants. It is time that America calls an end to the drug war, and instead changes their approach for the betterment of society.

As the fascination for drugs has grown in America the business side of the industry has grown. People see the movies and TV shows focusing on narcotics and they see a life filled with opportunity. They see possibility. They see an industry with unwavering growth potential. They see a true free market in it’s purest form. This is a market that has only one regulation: drugs are illegal. The reward has grown greater than the risk, as people continue to search for control over their socio-economic future.

This $100 billion annual industry continues to grow, and cartels in other countries grow in numbers, power and strength, forcing the youth of these countries to search for safer pastures in other countries. America’s leaders continue to throw more money at the problem without attempting to solve the issue, which is to end prohibition on drugs. This would essentially end the illegal drug trade, and we could begin using the excess funds to increase public education and drug treatment.

Former Vice Presidential Candidate Judge Jim Gray stated that “Drug Prohibition has resulted in a greater loss of civil liberties than anything else in the history of our country.” He is correct. America leads in incarceration rates, most of which are due to non-violent drug offenses. He also points out that even though studies have proven that people of all races use drugs at basically the same rate, people of color are incarcerated at an exceptionally higher rate than those of Anglo decent.

By ending the so-called “War on Drugs” and releasing all criminals who have been incarcerated for committing non-violent crime we could free up jail space, and save tax payer money who are paying for the room and board of essentially an alcohol purveyor in the 1920s. The need for SWAT teams, which are essentially federally funded, would be reduced drastically saving federal dollars.

Once the War on Drugs in America ends the cartels no longer have the golden goose of American dollars funding their operations. This would then, in-turn, cut many terrorist organizations off at the knees.

Drug cartels are one of the greatest supporters of terrorist organizations. If America ends the drug war, cutting off the financial backing from American citizens to these cartels they will not be able to fund terrorist organizations. Essentially, by America ending the drug war, they will end the unintended American funding of terrorism across the globe.

This is obviously not something that will happen overnight. It will take time and in order for it to eventually happen, the right leaders have to be in place. It is important to elect the leaders who have the right vision in mind.

Bill Wohlsifer is a leader who has the right vision. He will begin by working to give clemency to all non-violent criminals currently imprisoned in Florida jails. Which will save the tax-payers of Florida money, and give new hope to people who previously had no vision for a future that was filled with anything other than a life of crime. With leaders like Mr. Wohlsifer America can finally end the War on Drugs, allowing families to be together, permitting free markets to grow, slowing down illegal immigration, and ultimately crippling terrorist organizations.

–

Equality and the League of Women Voters

Billy's Blog, General Commentary / September 23, 2014 September 23, 2014

Voters used to care if candidates received equal billing at election time, but those days seem long passed. We the people have fallen into a disastrous pattern of a two party system, where even the people who clamor on about wanting equality fail to demand equality. In fact, they even defend inequality and have loaded voters with an arsenal of excuses on why they must vote for one of the two establishment parties.

“The other candidates aren’t polling well.” “I don’t really like either one, but unfortunately they are the only options I have been given to choose from.” “She believes this, and he believes that.” “I don’t really like either one, but unfortunately they are the only options I have been given to choose from. I must pick one.”

In most elections it ends up the equivalent of picking a vacation in the Bog of Eternal Stench or the Fire Swamp.

The problem we have in this country is that many of the groups out there working to inform the citizens of their options in the political process have become so inundated with the duopoly of the system they have forgotten the true nature of their purpose; to inform voters of their options. There are options out there other than the Republicans and the Democrats. The average voter, though, doesn’t know about these options because they are not being informed by the people they have been instructed to trust with this information.

When a group, such as the League of Women Voters, puts out a voters guide and it fails to provide information on all qualified candidates in the race it just proves they have fallen victim to the duopoly in this country they say they are striving to rise above. When the country is faced with a future oligarchy, taking the choice out of the voters’ hands and placing it in the hands of a select few who make deals in back rooms while holding back the citizens who lay wanting for freedoms, one would think equality between the candidates would be at the forefront of the activists groups who strive for equality.

Groups such as these use phrases such as nonpartisan, which is a blatant lie, because they show themselves to be partisan in many different fashions. Yes, they have worked hard to find equality for their core demographic, but shouldn’t the end goal be equality for all those in America? Doesn’t their blatant disregard for any political party that doesn’t begin with an “R” or a “D” show their intrinsic bias toward any candidate who may stand for a more universal equality than the options they allow their followers to learn about?

If these groups actually stood for, and believed in, equality, they wouldn’t disregard candidates who were qualified and give childish excuses for their actions. Instead, they would place these names on the voter guides next to the candidates names of who they have been programmed to educate the voters.

Steering Voters Does Not Lead to Fair and Open Elections

Billy's Blog, General Commentary / July 21, 2014 July 21, 2014

Real estate is a profession encumbered by countless regulations and rules that must be adhered to in order to assure that no wrong doing or discrimination occurs. One of the many rules that must be followed by agents is that one must not engage in “steering”.

Steering is described as the discriminatory practice of maneuvering an individual away from a home in a neighborhood the real estate agent doesn’t want the individual to consider for whatever reason. Essentially, the agent must show a client every available option on the market, if that option is within the realms of the clients’ criteria. If the agent has committed the act of steering they can be suspended, or lose their license permanently.

This was a law put into place by the Government in order to prevent wrongful discrimination based on a person’s beliefs, race, or creed. Why is it then that individuals and their bought-and-paid-for Government have the ability to steer voters toward certain candidates, while omitting other candidates who meet the same criteria?

Recently, the Collier County Supervisor of Elections was conducting a mock election at a public Candidate Forum at the Golden Gate Community Center. Much like with the responsibilities of a Realtor®, one would assume that all qualifying candidates would be on the mock ballot. In the race for Attorney General there were three names on the ballot, none of which was the name of the qualified Libertarian candidate, Bill Wohlsifer.

When the Supervisor of Elections was asked why his name was left off the ballot even though he had met the same criteria and paid the same fees as the others on the ballot the SOE explained, “The organizers of the event choose who to put on the mock ballot.”

If a candidate has qualified should he, or she, be left off of individually or associational funded election materials presented by the people who oversee the election process, or should they be required to include all qualified candidates on all publicly funded election materials? By allowing these entities paying for the straw polls to leave off any qualified candidate the Government is basically allowing the steering of the public toward the candidates these groups feel the voters should be choosing from.

This is just a form of discrimination that opens the door of opportunity for a corporately funded straw poll to pick and choose any candidates to place on mock ballots, based on what they want the ballot to look like, and pay the Supervisor of Election to put out the ballot. Even the Office of Director, Division of Elections stated in an email that, “There are no specific rules or statutes that govern these types of activities.” If they can leave off any qualified candidate what is to stop them to leaving off all candidates who weren’t the personal choice of the people who have essentially paid the Supervisor of Elections?

By leaving off a candidate with all of the same qualifications as other candidates the Government, and those paying for the straw polls to be conducted, are not allowing the public to make educated choices on who they would like to elect into office. They are restricting the publics’ choice, and by doing so they are committing the punishable act of steering. They are attempting to run our lives by not allowing us to see the full range of options. They are hindering the publics’ knowledge of the candidates and the issues. If we, as a people, do not hold our Government accountable for providing the public with all information they have the ability to control our future by limiting our choices.

We cannot allow the Government to limit our choices, and we need to demand honest and complete consideration by those who run our elections, and not have them dictated by whatever political action committee or lobbying group is willing to put forward the money to stage one of these mock elections. If we don’t run our government, the government will continue to run us, and they will be run by those who pay them to give us our information.

Inmate Release of Clemency

Billy's Blog, Medical Marijuana / April 24, 2014 April 24, 2014

IROC (Inmate Release of Clemency) Bill’s Plan to Restore Liberty through Clemency

The clemency function is an act of mercy that absolves an individual from all or any part of the punishment that the law imposes. This is a power to grant full or conditional pardons, or commute punishment. There are rules for these lengthy procedures, with the primary power being vested in the Governor, but for the requirement of approval of two cabinet members. The Rules of Executive Clemency can be viewed online at: https://fpc.state.fl.us/PDFs/clemency_rules.pdf

If elected Attorney General, I will initiate a process to restore liberty through clemency. I refer to the process as “IROC”– Inmate Release of Clemency. It is an act of mercy to right the wrong that prior administrations have bestowed upon many peaceful Floridians now serving time in state prisons for perceived victimless offenses against society. In many instances it is the mere possession of marijuana that resulted in their incarceration. In many instances the percentage of black males incarcerated is highly disproportionate to the population of the communities from which they have been removed.

Clemency is governed by Article IV, Section 8, of the Florida Constitution. Section 8(a), which provides as follows:

Except in cases of treason and in cases where impeachment results in conviction, the governor may, by executive order filed with the custodian of state records, suspend collection of fines and forfeitures, grant reprieves not exceeding sixty days and, with the approval of two members of the cabinet, grant full or conditional pardons, restore civil rights, commute punishment, and remit fines and forfeitures for offenses.

The Attorney General cannot deviate from the Constitution, but can affect the manner in which constitutional law is implemented through the Rules of Executive Clemency, pursuant to Rule 2 of the Rules of Executive Clemency, which provides in pertinent part:

These rules were created by mutual consent of the Clemency Board to assist persons in applying for clemency. However, nothing contained herein can or is intended to limit the authority or discretion given to the Clemency Board in the exercise of its constitutional prerogative.

With the influence of the Attorney General’s seat on the Clemency Board, if elected, I pledge to propose additional language to Rule 5 of the Rules of Executive Clemency, Eligibility, to-wit: a new paragraph to be known as Rule 5(F). The purpose of Rule 5(F) is to modify application of Rule 4, Clemency. Proposed Rule 5(F) will provide as follows:

5. Eligibility

. . .

(F) In instances where the Office of Clemency Investigations finds, to the satisfaction of the Clemency Board, that the applicant for clemency was convicted of possession marijuana, without the intent to sell, and is serving time for no other conviction, and the adjudication of said conviction did not include an act of violence nor any identifiable, known or suspected victim, and the charging document filed of record does not include possession of a firearm at the time of arrest, the governor’s approval and the approval of two members of the cabinet to grant such applicant a full or conditional pardon, restoration of civil rights, and to commute punishment shall be deemed to be given. The de facto approval referenced in this section does not require the Clemency Board to accept the findings of the Office of Clemency Investigations. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to constitute the governor or any other cabinet member’s approval to grant full or conditional refund or return of any fines paid or personal property confiscated and subjected to forfeiture in conjunction with the pardoned offense.

Are Floridians getting a RAW deal with RAW MILK?

Billy's Blog, General Commentary / April 8, 2014 April 8, 2014

Florida law states that…502.091 MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS WHICH MAY BE SOLD. (1) Only Grade A pasteurized milk and milk products or certified pasteurized milk shall be sold to the final consumer or to restaurants, soda fountains, grocery stores, or similar establishments.

With all the hype and buzz of the Medical Marijuana amendment this November there is more mundane restriction on personal liberty that I’d like to see removed and that is the raw milk prohibition. Florida residents can purchase raw milk as “pet food” and can’t talk about how they purchase raw milk for their own consumption. Milk has been consumed for hundreds if not thousands of years in its raw form and has numerous health benefits yet somehow not long ago the public was told that without pasteurization dairy products were “unsafe” and were forced to purchase cooked milk. All the while we are “allowed” to consume raw oysters and totally free to consume other harmful substances that don’t need to be listed.

We have the right to purchase milk whether or not it is pasteurized or not and should have that right without having to circumvent a law. The law that makes it harder for the consumer and sovereign citizens to exercise their liberty needs modification.

~Matthew Battista

Brevard County

Everyone Deserves Equality And Freedom

Billy's Blog, General Commentary, LGBTQ Rights / March 4, 2014 March 4, 2014

In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed. This set of laws came about to secure the equality and freedom of Americans regardless of the color of their skin. It came to be only after we, as a country, endured revolutionary activism in the name of this cause. It came after knowing the horrors of oppression and discrimination for hundreds of years. We knew that segregation was wrong, and we changed our society for the better.

Today, America faces a new Civil Rights movement. Ever since the Supreme Court ruled Section 8 of the Defense Of Marriage Act unconstitutional, States across the nation have been moving forward in securing equal rights for LGBT people, particularly in terms of Marriage Law. This is on the heels of repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy in the military, allowing our LGBT men and women at arms to continue serving our country openly and without discrimination. These are glorious achievements, laying the foundation for a brighter and more progressive future in America.

But we mustn’t forget the hardships we have faced as a nation to achieve this, anymore than we should forget the tragedy of slavery and racism. Many Americans, most of them very young, have been living in the shadow of fear and violence from those who consider them lesser. Hate crimes include bullying, murder, harassment, slurs, physical violence, abuse, and a host of other disgusting activities. Countless victims of anti-gay hate crimes have committed suicide. This brutality has to end.

It should come as no surprise that I am Bisexual, and Intersex. My genetic condition renders me biologically neither really male nor female, though I am legally considered male. I reject the gender-binary system, and personally advocate for a non-binary option for legal purposes, such as the one that Germany has. Furthermore, I am Polyamorous, and I feel that to tell consenting adults who they can or cannot marry is a breach of individual rights and freedoms. There can be no freedom until we are equal.

At the college I attend, some Transgender friends of mine and their allies in the Queer-Straight Alliance on campus have been the latest local victims of hate violence against LGBT people. They have had their event flyers torn down and destroyed. They have been called mean and hateful slurs. They have been cornered and threatened. And they have been bullied out of even using bathrooms. Much of this behavior by the bullies is against our school’s policies, and yet nothing has been done about it. Some of it isn’t against policy, but the Student Government’s current administration has made promises to bring these issues to the table and has yet to follow up on those promises. Still, some issues concerning equal rights and protections have not been addressed at our school.

I often hear of how anti-gay the Republican party is, and how pro-gay the Democratic party is, but in my experience, there has been much talk and little action on the part of the Democrats, and little talk and much action on the part of the Republicans. One party says they are in favor of LGBT rights but does not do much to benefit us. The other party promises economic prosperity for everyone but instead tramples on LGBT rights. Neither major party can be trusted to help us be free and equal.

The Libertarian party not only supports the equal rights of LGBT Americans; they also take action to bring us equal rights. The Libertarians have proven, time and again, that they are honest, trustworthy, and believe in Liberty and Justice FOR ALL!

And that is the American way.

By Zachery Hall

“Reprinted with permission by Zachery Hall, Copyright Zachery Hall 2014. Paid for by Bill Wohlsifer for Florida Attorney General, Licensed for use on Wohlsifer4ag.com under Creative Commons and exclusive commercial use, BY-SA (Attribution-ShareAlike). All other users under CC BY-NC (Attribution-NonCommercial)”

Call:	(727) 378-3657
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New Campaign: Bud or Bud Treat Them The Same – August 11, 2015

Bill Wohlsifer Will Remove Cannabis from Schedule I

End the War on Drugs

Equality and the League of Women Voters

Steering Voters Does Not Lead to Fair and Open Elections

Inmate Release of Clemency

Are Floridians getting a RAW deal with RAW MILK?

Everyone Deserves Equality And Freedom

Contact us at (727) 378-3657 for a Free Consultation.

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