Florida Governor Ron DeSantis opposes the ballot measure proposed by former President Donald Trump, which aims to amend the Florida Constitution to legalize recreational marijuana. Trump announced his support for the initiative on TruthSocial on September 8, stating that he would vote “YES” on Amendment 3 in November.
Amendment 3 seeks to expand Article X Section 29 of Florida’s Constitution to allow for non-medical personal use of marijuana without facing criminal or civil penalties under state law. The proposed changes would permit adults aged 21 and older to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana for personal use, with restrictions on concentrated forms like dabs and oils.
Currently, Florida law treats possession or sale of up to 20 grams of marijuana as a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison. Medical marijuana treatment centers are also limited in what they can provide to patients.
Trump emphasized the need to end unnecessary arrests and incarcerations related to recreational marijuana and called for sensible regulations to ensure access for adults. He expressed support for unlocking medical uses of marijuana, enacting safe banking for state-authorized businesses, and allowing states to establish their own marijuana laws.
Governor DeSantis strongly opposed the constitutional amendment, warning that it could turn Florida into a place with widespread marijuana use similar to San Francisco or Chicago. He criticized the lack of restrictions in the amendment, highlighting concerns about public spaces being filled with the smell of marijuana and the potential implications for schools and restaurants.
Despite Trump’s belief in Florida voters’ support for marijuana legalization, he advocated for banning public use of the substance to prevent its pervasive odor in shared spaces. Amendment 3 will be on the ballot in November, requiring a 60% “yes” vote from state voters to pass after sponsors gathered over 1 million signatures in favor of the proposed changes.
Source link
