POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Voters in Florida are deciding whether to approve a change to the state constitution to allow for the sale and use of recreational marijuana for adults 21 years of age and older.
On Monday, advocates on both sides made their closing arguments.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Florida, made two stops in Florida, Miami and Orlando, to discuss why he believes voters should vote no on Amendment 3.
“If you’re not 100% convinced that this is a good idea, then you gotta vote no,” he said.
The amendment would allow medical marijuana treatment centers and other state licensed entities to sell recreational marijuana to adults 21 years of age and older.
DeSantis accused large marijuana companies of writing and supporting the amendment because it benefits them and their shareholders.
“They do not give you the right to grow your own marijuana on your own property,” DeSantis said. “That’s by design because they’re trying to funnel business transactions to them.”
Supporters have said Amendment 3 does not ban home grow.
On election eve, Smart & Safe Florida, the group advocating for the passage of Amendment 3, put forth veterans who say they have benefitted from access to safe and regulated marijuana to treat chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I can say I’m on the least medicine I’ve ever been on since I switched to medical marijuana,” Army veteran Forrest Miller said.
Former President and Florida resident Donald Trump said in September he would be voting yes on Amendment 3.
“In our political state of divisiveness and vitriol, I’m always in support of something that is a bipartisan effort,” veteran Adam Margio said. “I’m in support of the three amendment because I feel that will have cascading effects into the consumer public from an adult use perspective.”
In order to pass, Amendment 3 needs 60% or more of the electorate to vote yes.
“I believe it’s going to put a lot of nice regulations on things and make it more safer for everybody,” said Curtis Frazier, who has a medical marijuana card and supports Amendment 3. “There’s a lot of bad things out there and this is another way to keep it monitored and safer.”
“I’m thinking no mainly because I don’t want it to be everywhere and smell it everywhere. I don’t love the smell of it,” said Joy Dees, who lives in Lakeland. “I don’t have a problem with anyone who wants to do it for whatever reason but I don’t want it recreationally literally everywhere.”
DeSantis also expressed concern Monday about the impact of recreational marijuana on tourism and quality of life.
In 2016, Floridians approved a constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana use with 71% of the vote.
The full text can be found here: https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/initiatives/initdetail.asp?account=83475&seqnum=2
