TIME: Publix Enemy #1, Publix Billionaire Donates $800,000 to Fight Medical Marijuana in Florida

Editor’s note: I used to be a big Publix fan.

In case you missed it Time Magazine reported:

“The family that founded the Publix supermarket chain has given $800,000 to a lobbying group fighting the legalization of medical marijuana in Florida.

The trust of Carol Jenkins Barnett, the chairwoman and president of Publix, made the contribution earlier this month to the Drug Free Florida Committee”

(link at bottom to Time for Proof)

But NOW? Now they are being fined for illegally selling a notorious pollutant that takes hundreds of years to decompose; styrofoam. (Yep Miami Beach has a ban on it, but Publix just showed blatant disregard and sold it illegally anyway!)

I’m not into banning many things, but if the people vote on it and it’s the law? It doesn’t seem right Publix should sell it illegally (knowing the detrimental impact). Check out the video about their preemption in Florida. They’re trying to make it so the state couldn’t have other bans in other cities; even if voted in by the people. It’s all about the money.

Add insult to injury with their $15.6 Million dollar expansion on their big pharmacies? It’s no wonder many experts say they view medical cannabis as competition. Damn straight!

Ok back to the original article:

Most of you know that I’m a Floridian since late 2003. Since I’ve survived quite a few hurricanes, and live here full time I figure I’m practically a local (though I won’t say native!)

I lived in California before here, but didn’t have seizure activity back then, nor have to take advantage of the medical marijuana laws in that state.

Ironically, now that I have been diagnosed with seizure activity I still can’t get my hands on medical cannabis oil in this state (which is prescribed for seizures in many states) and it’s late 2016!

Well, now I find out my former favorite grocery store (Publix!) part owners and founding family has been fighting medical marijuana all along!

That’s right! They’ve made a total of seven figures against fighting medical cannabis and Amendment 2 which will be on November’s ballot here in the Sunshine state.

The Family founders of PUBLIX (who Time magazine reports is still their president) just gave $800,000 to Drug Free America to fight medical marijuana from passing here in Florida. And the irony is, her countless stores/pharmacies (started by her father in 1930 that have grown into a massive industry) sell boat loads of harmful drugs, cigarettes, and liquor. How’d ya like them apples?

They are even doing a 15.6 MILLION dollar expansion on their pharmacies (they peddle dangerous oxycontin, but alas, they don’t seem to want medical marijuana legalized-why would that be?)!

Sorry Publix. Too many of my readers think this is all about medical marijuana cutting into your pharmaceutical sales of millions or even billions and has nothing to do with “the children”. Hell, amendment 2 barely legalizes it for patients!

See Publix response here on their own page (we used photoshop to take out the young man’s last name who asked them the question):

Publix, we are SO broken up so don’t even think about calling. No late night visits. I won’t be back again. Lose my number.

From Time Magazine:

“The family that founded Publix has given $800,000 to a lobbying group fighting the legalization of medical marijuana in Florida.
The trust of Carol Jenkins Barnett, , made the contribution earlier this month to the Drug Free Florida Committee, The Ledgerreports, citing financial disclosure records from the Florida Division of Elections. The group is opposed to Amendment 2, a measure up for a statewide vote in November that would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana for certain debilitating illnesses, according to The News-Press.
Barnett is the daughter of Publix founder George Jenkins. She was recently diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer’s disease and stepped down from Publix’s board of directors in June, the company had announced.”

And just in case you were wondering about the sad copy paste job they’re plastering all over the net to anyone who asks- here it is:

“Carol Jenkins Barnett has long supported efforts to protect Florida’s families and children against the perils of drug abuse. As such, she feels that Amendment 2 would usher in an unprecedented era of legalized marijuana in Florida as opposed to only helping those who suffer from debilitating illnesses,” Publix said in a statement to TIME. “It is her desire to maintain the health and welfare of Floridians. For this reason, she contributed to Drug Free Florida, which is dedicated to educating the public on the dangerous consequences contained in this ballot initiative.”

What a propaganda response.

My better half and I are officially boycotting Publix and encourage others to do the same. We hope your employees question you, too. Do you know what could be done with that $800,000 dollars?

Don’t worry though. There are other choices like the MUCH more affordable ALDI store or your local farmer’s market. There’s also Trader Joe’s (not my favorite), Whole Foods, heck even Winn Dixie would be a better choice for those of us in the South. In fact, I went to Winn Dixie tonight and was surprised by their cheaper prices (than Publix) and large organic section, that was a welcomed shock! None of these chains are perfect (though farmers’ markets rock!) but better in my eyes than supporting a place who appears to defend the founding family’s contribution of nearly 1 million dollars to fight medical marijuana in my state!

Stay strong guys. We won’t be tempted unless there are some huge changes and Publix does a 180. We’re through.

A “Protest Publix” event has also been set up on Facebook!!!
Saturday, August 6
Noon until 2 p.m. Eastern
3300 Publix Corporate Parkway
Lakeland, FL 33811-3311