Facts should guide voters about the Third Amendment
Dear Editor:
Voters' Third Amendment decisions should be guided by facts, not fear. ).
Florida already has real-world experience successfully regulating the retail sale and use of medical marijuana. Currently, nearly 1 million Floridians are registered with the state and purchase cannabis products from the state's more than 600 licensed retail stores. The sky hasn't fallen yet, and the sky won't fall if adult use becomes legalized as well.
24 states have legalized adult use. No one ever repealed their laws. In states like California and Colorado, a higher percentage of voters support legalizing marijuana now than when the law was first enacted. Nationally, public support for legalization is at an all-time high. This is evidence that these policies are working largely as voters and politicians intended and are preferable to cannabis criminalization.
Contrary to what opponents claim, passing the Third Amendment does not increase crime. States that have legalized marijuana have seen an increase in overall crime clearance rates, including an increase in law enforcement's ability to arrest violent crimes.
Enactment of the Third Amendment would also disrupt the unregulated cannabis market. According to 2023 survey data, most consumers residing in legal states say they obtain their cannabis products from licensed facilities. In contrast, only 6% of respondents said they primarily purchased cannabis from “dealers.” In Canada, where marijuana sales have been regulated since 2018, nearly 70% of consumers say they purchase cannabis from the legal market.
It is time to end the failed policy of criminalizing marijuana in Florida.
paul armentano
Vice President, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
