During this election cycle, the CEO of Florida’s largest medical marijuana company is going up against Gov. Ron DeSantis and his supporters, who are trying to block the passage of Amendment 3.
“This, to me, seems like reefer madness and prohibition all over again, right? They’re taking it right out of that handbook,” Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve, told WESH 2.
As part of the “No on 3” campaign, some of the governor’s top surrogates were in Central Florida on Wednesday to make the case against legalizing recreational marijuana for adults 21 years and older.
“This whole thing, like what the state of Florida is going to be like if this passes, it stinks,” Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis told a room of supporters in Lake Nona. “Vote ‘no’ on Amendment 3. Save the future of Florida.”
Flanked by Florida’s surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Casey DeSantis argued passing Amendment 3 would create a “corporate cartel” in Florida.
Attorney John Morgan is a vocal advocate for Amendment 3. He responded to messages from those against Amendment 3 who say it amounts to corporate greed.
“There are 25 licenses already in Florida,” Morgan said. “There are 22 licenses that the governor can give tomorrow if he wants. But in Florida, there’s only two pharmacies that I know of, Walgreens and CVS, and maybe Publix. So, the corporate greed is just a way to try to anger people who are angry about corporate greed.”
Casey DeSantis also said she is worried about the foul odor from people smoking weed in public.
“If you don’t want Orlando to smell like New York City,” she said, “vote ‘no’ on Amendment 3.”
But Rivers is pushing back against that claim, saying smoking weed in public would be regulated like cigarettes.
“Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) has already filed a bill right that will address this and immediately during session,” Rivers said. “And so that is absolutely false. The laws are going to stay exactly like they are today, and there will be no smoking in public.”
Nearly every Florida sheriff is voicing their opposition to Amendment 3. Ivey said prosecuting drivers who get behind the wheel after smoking weed will be nearly impossible.
“If somebody is high on marijuana and driving, we have to now get blood work taken at the hospital, and all that blood work is tell us they had it in their system,” Ivey said. “Then their attorney is going to argue they smoked marijuana two days before.”
Morgan said the passage of Amendment 3 would allow law enforcement to focus on “real crime.”
“Let’s stop destroying lives for a misdemeanor arrest which keeps people out of school, the military, professional advancement,” Morgan said.
Ladapo said the state’s Department of Health already has an education campaign about the health risks related to marijuana use.
“Policies that encourage their use are policies that we should avoid,” Ladapo said.
At least 60% of voters need to vote “yes” on the amendment to pave the way for legal recreational marijuana in the Sunshine State.
A recent University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab found two-thirds of likely voters support Amendment 3.
Additional Amendment 3 coverage:
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Watch Casey DeSantis’ full remarks below: