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    • DeSantis and his wife Casey are strongly opposed to Florida Marijuana Amendment 3
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    DeSantis and his wife Casey are strongly opposed to Florida Marijuana Amendment 3

    Kathleen William Posted on

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    Gov. Ron DeSantis continued his push against Amendment 3 on Thursday as he and First Lady Casey DeSantis held events denouncing the ballot measure that would legalize marijuana for recreational use in Florida.

    “It wasn’t immaculately designed. “It was put on the ballot because a major cannabis company has now spent $100 million to pass it,” DeSantis said during an event in Cape Coral. “This change is intended to benefit this one major weed company. It is not intended to benefit you.”

    DeSantis was referring to Trulieve, which funded the petition-gathering effort to put Amendment 3 on the ballot and also donated heavily to promote the measure. As of Oct. 11, campaign finance records show Trulieve spent nearly $92.5 million to pass Amendment 3.

    To pass, the measure must receive support from at least 60% of voters. If approved, it would take effect on May 5, 2025.

    Florida law already allows adult use of medical marijuana for medical purposes. Amendment 3 would legalize it for recreational use by those 21 and older. Under the change, a person could own up to three ounces.

    DeSantis and other opponents of the measure have repeatedly criticized Trulieve – although DeSantis never mentions the company by name – for trying to “corner the market” with the amendment because it does not allow individuals to grow marijuana for themselves.

    DeSantis also claims that once passed, the Legislature would not be able to set guidelines for Amendment 3 because it would be enshrined in the state constitution.

    He has raised the specter that police will be unable to stop people from smoking marijuana in parks, bars and other public places. But lawmakers have consistently taken steps to streamline voter-approved amendments, and Amendment 3 does not prevent lawmakers from passing rules or laws that are “consistent with the amendment.”

    “This is misinformation. Because the governor knows that once passed, this amendment will have to go to the Legislature for regulation,” said Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens, who supports Amendment 3.

    “Listen, if they don’t want to smoke in public, that’s fine,” he added. “Call on lawmakers to ensure that smoking is banned in public places. But don’t lie to Floridians and say this is a thing when you know it isn’t.”

    Opponents have also pointed to the increased health risks to the public if marijuana were legalized for recreational use.

    Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who leads the health department, said the change would worsen a number of health problems, including addiction and schizophrenia.

    He also claimed that the media was not reporting on the negative health aspects of marijuana; the better you can control the population. (The state health department also oversees the state's medical marijuana program.)

    “Several studies show that marijuana increases the incidence of schizophrenia in young people. Several studies from different countries show it,” Ladapo said at the event in Cape Coral. “People don’t know this, but it’s true. And people don't know it because unfortunately we have a media that wants you drugged. And they want you drugged because hey, guess what? They are easier to control. You’re much more controllable when you’re on drugs.”

    DeSantis also received help from Ms. Casey, who held her own event in Jacksonville, where she was joined by several sheriffs. The rhetoric against Amendment 3 has become increasingly strident as Election Day approaches, with less than two weeks remaining.

    “Why are they packaging it like gummy bears and lollipops and Rice Krispie Treats and brownies?” Casey DeSantis said. “It will happen where this reaches our children, they can consume it and it can potentially be life-threatening.”

    Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer.

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    Kathleen William
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