Orlando, FL: The Republican Party of Florida is calling upon voters to reject Amendment 3, a proposed constitutional initiative legalizing adult-use marijuana sales. Voters will decide on the amendment this November.
Members of the Party’s Executive Board voted to formally oppose the amendment at its quarterly meeting, resolving that it “[puts] children at risk and endanger[s] Florida’s family-friendly business and tourism climates.”
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has also committed to raising money to assist ‘counter-messaging’ efforts to defeat the amendment.
Speaking at a recent press conference, the Governor claimed that passing Amendment 3 would “reduce [Floridians’] quality of life.”
Amendment 3 amends the state Constitution to allow existing medical cannabis facilities to engage in adult-use marijuana sales. Under the proposal, those 21 and older may legally possess up to three ounces of cannabis, of which not more than five grams may be in the form of concentrate. Home cultivation of marijuana for one’s own personal use is not permitted. The majority of funding for the measure was provided by the multi-state cannabis company Trulieve.
Because the ballot proposal is in the form of a constitutional amendment, it requires approval from a supermajority of voters (60 percent) to become law.
Florida law defines the possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana as a felony offense, punishable by up to five years in prison. Those who possess lesser amounts are guilty of a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by a year in jail.
For the past several years, state agencies have failed to provide comprehensive marijuana-related arrest data to the FBI. Historically, Florida was among the leading states in the nation in marijuana-related arrests.
Additional information on Amendment 3 is available from Smart & Safe Florida.