PENSACOLA, Fla. — A constitutional amendment to legalize the recreational use of marijuana could be on the Florida ballot next year.
The proposed amendment is generating both support and opposition.
Suncoast NORML Executive Director Chris Cano has concerns about the petition, which received enough signatures to put it on the ballot.
He says if passed this could benefit the businesses more than consumers.
The Adult Use of Marijuana initiative would allow the legal sale of cannabis to anyone over 21 by medical marijuana treatment centers.
Cano is criticizing the petition which made the measure ballot eligible.
His deputy director, Carlos Hermida, says he’s on the fence about supporting this petition.
“It would just simply put — keep money into pockets of the people who been taking advantage of patients the whole time,” Hermida said.
Cano says this could potentially reduce the competitiveness of the industry without allowing new businesses to join the industry.
“I would support anything that the people of Florida got passed because that’s my job as a public servant is to represent the people of Florida,” Rep. Michelle Salzman said. “I would not support it if it was a law being written, I don’t believe that recreational marijuana is something that we should be looking at right now.”
This proposal is currently being reviewed by the state Supreme Court.
Once allowed on the 2024 ballot, Floridians can vote to legalize personal use of cannabis.
If passed through, Florida legislature would then have to update the laws that would match the language of the proposal.
Local cannabis advocate Crystal Silins says this proposal could benefit everyone in Florida.
“It really isn’t for the party crowd, it is for the senior citizens, a lot of people can’t simply afford a medical card so I think the economical impact and financial impact on our community and our state would just be positive all around,” Silins said.
If passed, Florida would join 23 other states that currently allow marijuana to be legally sold for non-medical use.
Smart and Safe Florida, who is sponsoring the petition for recreational marijuana, shared a statement with WEAR News:
We are thrilled to announce that we have gathered enough valid signatures to qualify for the 2024 ballot. Floridians will soon have the ability to vote to give themselves the same freedoms already enjoyed by over half Americans. Thank you to our campaign leaders, The Bellamy Brothers, Trulieve and especially to the hundreds of thousands of voters who signed our petition.
H/T: www.weartv.com
