Florida Republican State Senator Joe Gruters announced his support for Amendment 3 Wednesday, a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.
Gruters, a prominent figure in Florida politics, believes that this measure will not only align with public opinion but also bring significant economic and social benefits to the state.
“By legalizing recreational marijuana for adults, we can give Floridians access to safe products, generate significant revenue for critical public services, and create new job opportunities for Floridians,” Gruters, R-Sarasota, said in a news release.
“Amendment 3 is about personal freedom; but it is also about creating a safer, more regulated recreational marijuana market and generating much-needed revenue for critical public services like our law enforcement,” Gruters posted on X.
Public response to Gruters’ announcement was a mixed bag.
“Hell No. We are voting NO. We don’t want recreational marijuana in Florida. Move to California if you want to be around and smell that crap,” posted Dr. Maria Peiro.
“Thank you, Senator!” posted Jake Hoffman.
“No- if cigarettes are banned bc of 2nd hand smoke- I don’t want 2nd hand smoke from weed,” said @RamonaRichey.
“I’ve always said the only thing missing from Disney World is the wonderful smell of skunk weed wafting through the park. It would be magical,” posted @randysult.
“Yay more profit for Big Weed and John Morgan,” posted @real-miss_Jodie on X.
Follow the money, so they say.
Medical cannabis giant Trulieve has deepened its investment in the campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida, contributing an additional $5 million to the Smart & Safe Florida political committee, which is leading the charge to pass the Amendment.
This latest contribution brings Trulieve’s total investment to approximately $60.39 million as of July 19th.
With Trulieve’s substantial backing, the committee has raised over $66 million in cash and in-kind contributions and spent nearly $54 million on campaign efforts.
Law Enforcement Perspective
The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) announced Tuesday a resolution approved by Florida’s sheriffs at the Sheriff’s Summer Conference last week which opposes the legalization of the use, possession, cultivation, delivery, and sale of recreational marijuana.
The FSA aims to educate Floridians on how the legalization of recreational marijuana could jeopardize the health and safety of residents and lead to a lower quality of life for all.
Recent studies have documented the dangers of marijuana, with increased crime rates and traffic accidents in states that have legalized it. For instance, research indicates that in 2020, 24.3% of drivers involved in traffic fatalities tested positive for marijuana, up from 14.8% in 2013.
Additionally, 48.8% of teen drivers who use marijuana report driving under the influence. In states where marijuana has been legalized, marijuana-related crime rates have risen faster than in other states, emergency department visits for marijuana abuse have increased, and a study shows a 25% increase in adolescent marijuana use disorder following legalization.
“The well-being and health of the citizens of Florida are threatened through the legalization and normalization of recreational marijuana,” said Florida Sheriffs Association President and Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell. “Our priority is the safety and security of our communities, and the data clearly shows that legalization leads to increased public health issues, road safety concerns, and a rise in youth marijuana use. We must take a stand to protect our citizens, especially our youth, from the negative impacts of marijuana.”
The Case of Colorado
Since the legalization of recreational marijuana in Colorado in 2012, the state has seen a multitude of effects, both positive and negative, that continue to shape public opinion and policy.
As one of the first states in the U.S. to legalize recreational marijuana, Colorado serves as a case study for understanding the broader impacts of such a policy shift.
Public Health and Safety
One of the most scrutinized areas has been public health and safety. According to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the state has experienced an increase in marijuana-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
These incidents often involve acute marijuana intoxication, accidental ingestion by children, and complications related to the use of marijuana concentrates.
Furthermore, studies have shown a rise in marijuana-related traffic accidents. The Colorado Department of Transportation reported that in 2020, 25% of drivers involved in fatal crashes tested positive for marijuana, up from 10% in 2013.
This increase has raised concerns about road safety and the effectiveness of current laws and enforcement practices aimed at preventing impaired driving.
Crime Rates
The impact of marijuana legalization on crime rates has been mixed. While some studies indicate that overall crime has not significantly increased, there has been a notable rise in specific types of crime, such as illegal cultivation and distribution.
The black market for marijuana persists, partly due to high taxes and regulatory costs associated with legal sales, which can make illicit marijuana more affordable.
Economic Impact
On the economic front, marijuana legalization has been a boon for Colorado’s economy. The industry has generated billions in revenue, with a significant portion coming from taxes.
In 2021 alone, Colorado collected over $423 million in marijuana taxes, which have been allocated to various public services, including education, health care, and infrastructure projects.
The marijuana industry has also created jobs, ranging from cultivation and retail positions to ancillary roles in marketing, security, and legal services.
This economic boost has been particularly beneficial in rural areas, where job opportunities are often limited.
Social Implications
Socially, marijuana legalization has had both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, it has led to a reduction in marijuana-related arrests and incarcerations.
However, concerns remain about the long-term effects of increased marijuana availability on public health, particularly among young people.
Studies have shown a rise in adolescent marijuana use, which is linked to potential developmental issues and mental health concerns.
A recent study published in the journal Psychological Medicine has uncovered a startling revelation: teenagers who used cannabis within the last year had an 11-fold higher risk of developing a psychotic disorder compared to their non-using peers.
When the analysis was narrowed down to emergency room visits and hospitalizations, the risk skyrocketed to a staggering 27-fold increase.
“When I see youths with psychotic symptoms, they’re almost always using lots of cannabis,” said Dr. Leslie Hulvershorn, a child psychiatrist and chair of the psychiatry department at Indiana University, told NBC News. “It would be unusual to see someone present with psychotic symptoms to a hospital and not have smoked cannabis.”
While the current study did not specifically examine the impact of marijuana potency, previous research has found that the use of higher-potency cannabis products is linked to an increased risk of mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression.
This is a crucial consideration, as the marijuana landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, with the proliferation of concentrates, edibles, and other high-THC formulations that can deliver a more potent psychoactive experience.
As these products become more widely available, the potential for adverse mental health consequences among young users is a growing concern.
Read: The Alarming Link Between Teen Marijuana Use And Psychosis
The Biden administration’s recent move to potentially reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to the less dangerous Schedule III acknowledges the potential medical benefits of the substance at the federal level. However, this shift in policy also raises questions about the potential public health implications, particularly for vulnerable populations like adolescents.
With cannabis now legal for recreational use in 24 states, the normalization of marijuana use among high school students remains a significant issue. According to the 2023 Monitoring the Future Survey, nearly 1 in 3 12th graders reported using marijuana in the previous year.
The findings from this latest study, combined with the growing body of research on the topic, underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions and public health initiatives to address the risks associated with teenage cannabis use.
As lead author of the study, Andre McDonald, states, “If we can somehow ask teens to delay their use until their brain has developed a little further, I think that would be good for public health.”
This sentiment is echoed by experts who emphasize the importance of educating young people about the potential dangers and encouraging them to postpone cannabis experimentation until their cognitive faculties are more fully developed.
It is essential to note that while the study found a striking association between teenage cannabis use and the development of psychotic disorders, it did not directly prove that marijuana is the causal factor. As with any observational research, there is the possibility that individuals predisposed to psychosis may have also been more inclined to use cannabis.
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