MIAMI.- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sparked a new controversy by referring to the amount of marijuana that could be consumed in the state if Amendment 3 were to be approved in the November elections, a proposal that would legalize the use of marijuana for recreational purposes.
Speaking at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, DeSantis warned that legalizing cannabis could allow people to bring “20 joints to an elementary school,” arguing that the initiative would lead to uncontrolled marijuana use.
“It gives you an unlimited constitutional right to possess and smoke. I think it depends on, how much? How many joints? Would three ounces be 40? More than that, 80 joints. Something like that,” the governor said.
One of DeSantis’ main points of criticism is the possibility that legalization would allow marijuana use near schools.
At an event in Hialeah Gardens in April, the governor questioned whether it would be acceptable for people to smoke marijuana near elementary schools, saying it would not be “in the best interest of the state.”
What advocates of the amendment say
While proponents of the amendment say the state Legislature would have the power to regulate where and when marijuana can be consumed, similar to existing restrictions on tobacco, DeSantis has been skeptical.
In his view, the amendment, in its current context, is “too broad” and could lead to widespread consumption of marijuana in public places.
DeSantis’ recent comments in Milwaukee have sparked criticism and been called overkill by some. Legalization advocates argue that the proposed constitutional reform includes safeguards to prevent minors from accessing marijuana.
The debate has intensified with the publication of a recent study by the University of Florida, which suggests that the legalization of cannabis in other states has not led to a significant increase in consumption among minors.
Amendment 3 would legalize recreational marijuana for adult use. Additionally, medical marijuana treatment centers would be allowed to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell and distribute marijuana products. If approved, Florida would join 24 other states that have legalized recreational marijuana.
Under Florida law, for this initiative to pass, it must receive 60% of the votes from residents registered to participate in the November 5 election.
With the citizen initiative to legalize marijuana headed to a vote, the controversy promises to intensify in the coming weeks. Florida citizens will have to weigh the arguments from both sides and decide whether they support legalizing marijuana in the state.
