Florida Governor DeSantis Opposes Marijuana Legalization
06/21/2024
In the lead-up to the November election, Florida voters are set to decide on two significant constitutional amendments: Amendment 3, which proposes legalizing recreational marijuana for individuals aged 21 and older, and Amendment 4, which seeks to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. Despite strong opposition from Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, a recent Fox News poll indicates that 66% of Florida voters intend to vote in favor of Amendment 3.
Governor DeSantis has expressed his disapproval of the proposed amendment, stating that it would not merely decriminalize marijuana but essentially grant a license for its use anywhere. In response, he has established a new political committee, the Florida Freedom Fund, on May 24th, with the goal of opposing both Amendment 3 and Amendment 4. The committee, set up by DeSantis' Chief of Staff James Uthmeier, aims to prevent the legalization of recreational marijuana and protect the rights of the unborn.
The committee supporting Amendment 3, Smart and Safe Florida, has raised over $60 million for a statewide television and digital ad campaign. The majority of this funding has been contributed by Trulieve, the state's largest medical marijuana dispensary, with additional support from several other cannabis companies. Smart and Safe Florida estimates that legalizing recreational marijuana would generate annual sales tax revenues of $493 million, although a report from the Florida Financial Impact Estimating Conference suggests a more conservative range of $195 to $431 million, offset by regulatory expenses of $20.4 million in the first year and over $11 million annually thereafter.
Morgan Hill, a representative from Smart and Safe Florida, emphasized the campaign's focus on the economic benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana, as well as safety and transparency. However, the impact on current alcohol and tobacco tax revenues remains uncertain, and voters must consider the potential risks and unknowns associated with the amendment.
While most polls in the past year have shown majority support for Amendment 3, not all have indicated that it meets the required 60 percent threshold for passage. Governor DeSantis' opposition and the establishment of the Florida Freedom Fund highlight the contentious nature of the issue and the importance of voter education and awareness in the lead-up to the November election.
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Governor DeSantis has expressed his disapproval of the proposed amendment, stating that it would not merely decriminalize marijuana but essentially grant a license for its use anywhere. In response, he has established a new political committee, the Florida Freedom Fund, on May 24th, with the goal of opposing both Amendment 3 and Amendment 4. The committee, set up by DeSantis' Chief of Staff James Uthmeier, aims to prevent the legalization of recreational marijuana and protect the rights of the unborn.
The committee supporting Amendment 3, Smart and Safe Florida, has raised over $60 million for a statewide television and digital ad campaign. The majority of this funding has been contributed by Trulieve, the state's largest medical marijuana dispensary, with additional support from several other cannabis companies. Smart and Safe Florida estimates that legalizing recreational marijuana would generate annual sales tax revenues of $493 million, although a report from the Florida Financial Impact Estimating Conference suggests a more conservative range of $195 to $431 million, offset by regulatory expenses of $20.4 million in the first year and over $11 million annually thereafter.
Morgan Hill, a representative from Smart and Safe Florida, emphasized the campaign's focus on the economic benefits of legalizing recreational marijuana, as well as safety and transparency. However, the impact on current alcohol and tobacco tax revenues remains uncertain, and voters must consider the potential risks and unknowns associated with the amendment.
While most polls in the past year have shown majority support for Amendment 3, not all have indicated that it meets the required 60 percent threshold for passage. Governor DeSantis' opposition and the establishment of the Florida Freedom Fund highlight the contentious nature of the issue and the importance of voter education and awareness in the lead-up to the November election.
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