MIAMI — As in most presidential election years, voting metrics are typically ignored or downplayed by the national media. One is Florida, where a proposal to legalize state-controlled marijuana is on the ballot. Marijuana has been legalized in 24 states, three U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. Amendment 3 is on Florida's ballot, and its supporters say it would allow “adults 21 years of age or older to sell marijuana products for personal non-medical consumption, such as by smoking or ingestion. “Allows the possession, purchase, and use of marijuana paraphernalia.”
The legalization campaign is funded almost entirely by one company: Trulieve. The leading medical marijuana distributor has donated more than $92 million to the Smart & Safe Florida Political Committee since 2022, bringing the total amount raised by the organization to $100 million, according to the latest state campaign finance reports. It accounts for the majority of the above. As of August 30, the commission has committed more than $76 million toward passage of a recreational marijuana constitution.
If Trulibe's bid to win Florida is successful, the company will expand its already large footprint in the state, where it already has 156 pharmacies. Trulieve had record sales last year of $1.13 billion and operating cash flow of $202 million.
Pro-legalization forces are using county sheriffs in TV ads. He argues that allowing people to use marijuana would free up law enforcement to hunt down dangerous criminals and drugs. Other Florida police say the Third Amendment allows the “possession, purchase, and use of marijuana products and marijuana accessories for personal non-medical consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise.” Therefore, he says he is against it. Adding this amendment to the Florida Constitution would require approval by at least 60 percent of the state.
What the ads don't say is that marijuana can not only lead to distracted driving, but can also cause serious mental health problems. Marijuana has been touted as a “safe” drug, but a New York Times investigation found that this is not the case.
Cal Thomas Commentary
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A Times reporter wrote, “From Washington state to West Virginia, psychiatrists are treating an increasing number of patients whose drug use has caused delusions, paranoia, and other psychotic symptoms.'' It is also treated by psychiatrists in the emergency departments of small community hospitals and large academic medical centers alike.” Doctors in Ohio encounter patients with severe vomiting caused by this drug. This condition was once rare, but is now common. pain. '”
It is a myth that people cannot become addicted to marijuana. As the Times reported, “Estimates from an independent data analysis conducted for the Times by Columbia University epidemiologist Deborah Hassin suggest that approximately 18 million people (nearly all users over the age of 18) 1 in 3 people) report symptoms of cannabis use disorder,” which means around 3 million of these people are considered addicted to the drug, even though it has a significant negative impact on their lives.
What would happen if a marijuana user got behind the wheel of a car and became as incapacitated as if they had consumed alcohol above the legal limit? will also bear some of the responsibility. Do we need more mentally ill people in our society?
This is about money, a lot of money. Unless Florida voters want to see more “zombies” crash cars and more people causing serious harm to themselves and possibly their children, the Third Amendment You should vote “no” on the article.
Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, and personal use is generally ignored by authorities, who prefer to pursue large quantities smuggled into the country. One of the purposes of this law is to restrain people from harming themselves and society. That's why ballot measures similar to the Third Amendment should be rejected.
This commentary by Cal Thomas is his opinion. He can be reached at ctomas@wctrib.com.
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