Longtime Orlando attorney, John Morgan of Morgan and Morgan fame, first championed legalizing medicinal cannabis in 2016 and is now backing the legalization of recreational marijuana on the state’s 2020 ballot.

Morgan has been in the news (let’s face it, he’s always in the news) for his efforts of getting an amendment on the 2020 ballot that would gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour in Florida. He originally said he was too busy pushing for this wage increase that he wouldn’t be able to devote time and attention to legalizing recreational pot.

He recently tweeted, “I have decided that I am too old to care. I believe that #marijuana should be legal!! I think we have time and I think there is money to get it done. I already have the minimum wage signatures. Let’s do this maybe, forget Tallahassee! #ForThePeople — #PotDaddy”

He’s since been “approached by industry leaders who have the deep deep pockets to do it and do it fast.”

And according to a Quinnipiac University Poll in June, a record-high (pun intended) 65% percent of Florida voters want to see it happen, up nine percent from two years.

In other news…

Orlando will once again host the Pro Bowl. After a poor showing at the game earlier this year largely due to weather, fans were worried officials would find another city, but the game will be back in the City Beautiful for its fourth consecutive year. (Orlando Sentinel)

Last week, the Mayor’s Committee on Multicultural Affairs held its inaugural meeting at City Hall. The committee was formed from the development of the city’s Trust Act Policy and Resolution, passed in July 2018 and is made up of  17 community leaders that represent Orlando’s diversity in race, gender, age, and more. (The Daily City)

The Orange County Regional History Center is hosting a Florida AF auction to make room for renovations. It’ll auction one-of-a-kind items Saturday, Aug. 10 from noon to 2 p.m. but a preview party is going down tonight at 6 p.m. (Bungalower)

Mesa 21 in Ivanhoe Village closed earlier this week. The good news is that the beautiful lakefront space won’t go empty for long AND it’s being filled by the owners of The Porch and Local Butcher and Market. (Orlando Weekly)

Big thanks to everyone who sent questions for our series about the affordable housing crisis in Central Florida.

Here are the Qs we’ll be digging into over the next few months:

• • Why can’t housing costs across the board all be lowered? Say about 25%? —Sherri C.
  • As property taxes increase yearly on non-homestead properties, landlords are forced to pass the increase to tenants. What can be done to lower the taxes on non-homestead properties? —Nancy C.
  • Eddy Moratin of LIFT Orlando is encouraging us to use Mixed-Income Housing instead of Affordable Housing. I think it’s an important distinction to explain to Central Florida and the importance of why. And how that will make a difference here in our community. —Kellie P.
  • How could one go about living in an ADU and finding a property owner willing to host you? —Ashley Z.
  • Why do our state legislators continue to raid the Sadowski state housing trust fund? A fund set-up and dedicated to affordable housing. —Stephanie D.
  • Why don’t organizations other than the local apartment association like veterans and homeless affairs help legislate for the Sadowski Funds meant to support affordable housing in Florida? —Sean B.

Stay tuned for updates on what we’re learning on the reporting trail, and if you have other burning questions about affordable housing, we’d love to hear them.

Made possible by Central Florida Foundation.

If you’re looking for something to do tonight, Nerd Nite is heading back to Stardust Video and Coffee in Audubon Park.

Tonight’s topics are “how to survive a plane crash” presented by “Professor Josh” Murdock (FL Blog Con, Orange County Library Systems, Valencia) and “math for a better city” by Eliza Harris Juliano (Rethinking the City, Cannin Associates).

Get your smarts on, Orlando.

— Pulptown