Amendment 3 will hit November’s ballot, giving millions of registered voters the opportunity to weigh in on the popular drug.
Currently in the state, only medical marijuana is legal. Patients are required to have an active Medical Marijuana Identification Card, which can only be received from a physician with a qualifying medical condition.
“We have in Florida, a very robust and terrific medical cannabis program," said Aaron Bloom, a health care attorney and CEO of DocMJ—a Tampa-based physician group that provides medical marijuana recommendations and medical cards.
Bloom told WFSU on Thursday that medical and recreational cannabis are drugs used to reach a certain level of comfort. But it’s the effects that set them apart.
🌟 Did you know? #Medicalcannabis can help with #chronicpain management and improve quality of life. https://t.co/N63AyQ42vP
— DocMJ (@DocMJPatients) August 2, 2024
“The medical products tend to be products that are lower in THC and higher in the CBDs portion of it, so they give you relief without the psychoactive high," explained Bloom. "If you are searching solely for recreational use, then most people are going to want the much higher-level THC.”
A resolution to oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana?
On Tuesday, Florida Sheriffs Association President and Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell announced his opposition to Amendment 3. He believes the legislation will bring more public health issues and road safety concerns caused by impaired drivers.
“Drivers involved in traffic fatalities have increasingly tested positive for marijuana," Prummell said in a prepared statement.
The Florida Police Chief Association (FPCA) has similar concerns. Some officials say the amendment’s passage will ruin the healthcare industry by lowering the value of prescription cannabis and creating a “bigger black market”. However, Attorney Bloom says that’s not entirely true.
“We’ve looked at other states where they’ve gone through this that have been medical and legalized it for recreational use, and patients still go to their doctors. Many patients still are more comfortable getting the guidance through their physician.”
Amendment 3 is big business for some, bad business for public safety. FPCA is opposed - https://t.co/MYTYaKo5Dn
— Florida Police Chiefs Association (@FloridaChiefs) July 30, 2024
Some Florida law enforcement have broken with their respective groups on the issue
Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young endorsed Amendment 3 in July, writing a 2-page opinion piece in the Tallahassee Democrat, urging voters to approve the legislation. Young said with Amendment 3, his deputies will be able to focus more on getting drugs like fentanyl, off the streets and spend less time arresting citizens from fiscally constrained communities, for carrying small amounts of marijuana. Prummell, the Charlotte County Sheriff, thinks otherwise.
“States have seen a 25% increase in adolescent marijuana use disorder and a decline in risk perception. Culminating in an increase in illicit behavior," said Prummell.
Amendment 3 would only apply to adults over the age of 20. The measure requires 60% of voter approval to pass. Even still, the state Legislature will likely implement rules on when adults can legally use the drug or how much marijuana a person can have.
Possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana is a felony in Florida, with possible imprisonment up to 5 years and fines of up to $5,000 dollars.