Florida Amendment 3. What the stoners call "Legalized Recreational Marijuana."
Here are some highlights about our very neurotic conversation in the Sunshine State.
First, the text: https://reason.org/voters-guide/florida-amendment-3-would-legalize-recreational-marijuana/
(Actually, you have to download a PDF of the proposed text of Amendment 3. Reading it is an Excedrin headache.)
Let me count the ways this is funny as hell:
1. Florida has already had a medical marijuana law on the books, (which was passed in 2016.) Supposedly it authorized only doctors to prescribe marijuana to terminally ill patients with chronic pain. Doctors here are handing out scrips like candy. In fact, there is a product called CBD Gummies, which contains THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.) Can you imagine that? Marijuana CANDY!
2. Amendment Three says licensed dispensaries can sell marijuana to adults 21 or over without a prescription, but only 3 ounces at a time. And adult 21 or over is not allowed to possess more than 3 ounces at a time. Hell, you could have a better time buying liquor, with ZERO amount limits.
3. (This is going to freak you out.) Florida Governor DeSantis opposes Amendment three, but he does it for the same reason the STONERS are against it. He claims the marijuana industry will come in and take over and the big time CEOs will make a fortune off weed. And this is probably the first time I've ever disagreed with the Governor, but that is not going to happen. According to Amendment Three, the licenses for dispensaries today are it. No new ones will be created unless the Florida legislature passes a law creating new licenses. I'm pretty sure the Republican legislature and Governor will not allow RJ Reynolds to come in, buy up half the Everglades and start producing pot.
4. The Sheriff of Bradford County in Florida is actually FOR Amendment 3. (Bradford County is the home of Raiford Prison, which is where they carry out the death penalty.) His own words: “Would you rather have an adult purchasing marijuana from the drug dealer or would you rather have them purchasing it in a store that is regulated, controlled and taxed.”
5. Stoners always crack me up. Most of them claim Amendment 3 would take away their right to grow their own pot.
That's right. Stoners are actually saying that.
Never mind that they can be arrested for growing their own pot now.
6. Florida is kind of in a tizzy about Amendment 3, (which is on the ballot because the Republican controlled Florida Legislature is NOT going pass such a law.) The Amendments are an exercise in RAW DEMOCRACY, by the way.
7. Need another laugh? (And I know the liberals here are almost pissing themselves laughing at Florida about this.) Florida passing Amendment Three will NOT shield a pot smoker from being arrested for possession since FEDERAL LAW still prohibits it.
Ya gotta admit: FLorida has the best economy and the best schools in the country and THIS is the place to go when you want to be entertained.
