Florida debates recreational marijuana amendment
Florida’s proposed recreational marijuana amendment has ignited a heated debate among supporters and opponents, with significant local implications.”It will also mean less people sitting in our jails,” said Steve Vancore of Trulieve, Florida’s largest medical marijuana company.”It will bring in more tax dollars to the state that can be used explicitly as the legislature would like,” Vancore added.Dr. Luzmarina Garcia of Florida Atlantic University noted the financial benefits seen in other states.”What we see is that newer adopters in smaller states are not getting those levels of revenue but a large state like Florida will probably get that revenue long term,” Garcia said.Micah Robbins of the Community Recovery Hub of Palm Beach County expressed concerns about the amendment, particularly regarding THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana.”We are seeing increased uses in THC psychosis and other really severe behavioral challenges that are triggered by high concentrated levels of THC in the brain,” Robbins said.”For our youth, we have always known that high levels of THC has impairment on the brain development and if we see the age of onset getting lower, kids are trying it younger, that has a further detriment on brain development,” Robbins added.Several law enforcement agencies, including the Florida Sheriffs Association, stand firm in their opposition.”At the end of the day, the legalization of recreational marijuana prioritizes the interests of the marijuana industry over the health and safety of every Floridian, because we have seen the impact on our youth, on our roadways, within the illicit market, within the healthcare industry and more,” said Sheriff Bill Leeper, the association’s immediate past president.If passed, the ballot language gives the Florida Legislature the control to implement rules and regulations.”You will not have people smoking marijuana in restaurants, they will not be smoking in libraries,” Vancore said.”Just like they regulate tobacco, they regulate alcohol—beer, wine, and spirits—they will be able to do and they should and we hope they will put strict regulations on public smoking,” Vancore added.The latest: WPBF 25 News coverage on PoliticsGet the latest political updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
Florida’s proposed recreational marijuana amendment has ignited a heated debate among supporters and opponents, with significant local implications.
“It will also mean less people sitting in our jails,” said Steve Vancore of Trulieve, Florida’s largest medical marijuana company.
“It will bring in more tax dollars to the state that can be used explicitly as the legislature would like,” Vancore added.
Dr. Luzmarina Garcia of Florida Atlantic University noted the financial benefits seen in other states.
“What we see is that newer adopters in smaller states are not getting those levels of revenue but a large state like Florida will probably get that revenue long term,” Garcia said.
Micah Robbins of the Community Recovery Hub of Palm Beach County expressed concerns about the amendment, particularly regarding THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana.
“We are seeing increased uses in THC psychosis and other really severe behavioral challenges that are triggered by high concentrated levels of THC in the brain,” Robbins said.
“For our youth, we have always known that high levels of THC has impairment on the brain development and if we see the age of onset getting lower, kids are trying it younger, that has a further detriment on brain development,” Robbins added.
Several law enforcement agencies, including the Florida Sheriffs Association, stand firm in their opposition.
“At the end of the day, the legalization of recreational marijuana prioritizes the interests of the marijuana industry over the health and safety of every Floridian, because we have seen the impact on our youth, on our roadways, within the illicit market, within the healthcare industry and more,” said Sheriff Bill Leeper, the association’s immediate past president.
If passed, the ballot language gives the Florida Legislature the control to implement rules and regulations.
“You will not have people smoking marijuana in restaurants, they will not be smoking in libraries,” Vancore said.
“Just like they regulate tobacco, they regulate alcohol—beer, wine, and spirits—they will be able to do and they should and we hope they will put strict regulations on public smoking,” Vancore added.
The latest: WPBF 25 News coverage on Politics
Get the latest political updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.