Florida authorities have been considering the possibility of recreational marijuana use for a long time. The issue will even be put to a popular vote in the next elections, but there are groups that do not agree with this.
Pointing out issues such as traffic safety, Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association have announced their opposition to the proposal. They refuse to amend the constitution to allow recreational cannabis use.
The sheriffs’ association said its members approved a resolution opposing the initiative during a meeting last week.
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“The well-being and health of Florida citizens are threatened by the legalization and normalization of recreational marijuana,” Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, president of the Sheriffs Association, said in a prepared statement.
Florida Sheriff’s Association. LinkedIn photo
United to protect citizens
“Our priority is the safety of our communities. The data clearly shows that legalization leads to increased public health issues, traffic safety concerns, and an increase in marijuana use among youth. We must take a stand to protect our citizens, especially our youth, from the negative impacts of marijuana.”
Similarly, Florida Police Chiefs Association President Charles Vazquez issued a statement saying that his past experience tells him the proposal will make the situation worse.
“There will be a new volume of calls due to the nature of marijuana impairment and its relationship to crime, including victimization and mental health,” he said.
They fear that passing this measure would increase deaths in the state. Photo WFSU News
Other visions
Smart & Safe Florida, a political committee leading efforts to pass the constitutional amendment, disputes the arguments. It said it is false that allowing recreational use of marijuana would lead to increased crime and problems such as traffic safety issues.
“It is true that marijuana can impair driving ability. However, the claim that legalization leads to significantly more drunk driving deaths is not supported by evidence,” reads information on the Smart & Safe Florida committee’s website.
“Proper education, enforcement of drunk driving laws, and investment in public safety measures can mitigate any potential increase in marijuana-related traffic accidents.”
The decision would be in the hands of the voters. Photo: Miami’s Community News
The initiative will appear on the November ballot as Amendment 3. It says, in part, that it would allow “adults 21 years of age or older to possess, purchase or use marijuana products.” It also allows for marijuana paraphernalia for personal nonmedical use by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise.
In 2016, voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing medical marijuana.
