ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) – This election, Florida voters have the chance to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana.
If passed, Amendment 3 could have an impact not only on Florida, but some worry it will impact Alabama as well.
Click here to view the full Amendment 3 text
Click here to view a 2024 Florida sample ballot
As Florida voters head to the polls, they have mixed opinions about Amendment 3. Amendment 3 would allow adults who are 21 and older to possess, buy and use recreational marijuana.
“I’m against it- mostly for the sake that I don’t want to smell it everywhere I go,” said one Pensacola local.
The measure also limits how much cannabis people can carry which is up to 3 ounces of marijuana or 5 grams of marijuana concentrate.
“We have no problem with smoking, but stay home and don’t expose other people to it,” said another local.
“I don’t think there’s any harm in it. I think it’s the same as drinking alcohol-if people want to go buy a couple cases of beer, you should be able to go buy a couple of joints,” someone added.
Many Floridians have already voted early on the amendment.
“My opinion is ‘no.’ I voted for it already. Because it doesn’t work- for medical reasons, yes, but not for recreation,” said one.
“I voted ‘no’,” added someone else. “I don’t like the idea of conglomerations and big money controlling it. I voted for medicinal marijuana a long time ago and will continue to support that. I don’t like the idea of smelling smoke on the streets- I don’t like the idea of it just being readily accessible.”
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons says he opposes the amendment because he ‘feels as though it will harm the community and make marijuana gummies more accessible to school-aged children.’
Former Baldwin County Sheriff and current Executive Director of the Alabama Sheriff’s Association Huey Mack says if the law passes in Florida, it will affect Alabama.
“We’ve got 5 counties in the State of Alabama that border the State of Florida,” said Mack. “Our number one concern would be a lot of the people that are living in those counties work and shop and go to Florida on a regular basis. If Amendment 3 passes- while it would be legal in the State of Florida, it would still be illegal in Alabama.”
Mack says he thinks the amendment would threaten public health.
“We do believe that marijuana can be a gateway drug that leads to drug abuse of other serious drugs,” said Mack.
According to the amendment text, only medical marijuana treatment centers and other state-licensed facilities would be able to sell recreational marijuana.
The measure does not require public places to accommodate recreational marijuana users.
If passed, the law would take effect 6 months from now which puts it at May of 2025.
Currently, 24 states, three U.S. territories, and D.C. have legalized recreational marijuana. Medical marijuana is legal in 50 states.
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If passed, Amendment 3 would allow adults who are 21 and older to possess, purchase and use recreational marijuana. Read More