Amendment 3 will give Florida lawmakers the power they need to ensure no outdoor or public smoking of marijuana;
We strongly support putting the same limits on adult use marijuana that we currently have for tobacco & medical marijuana– let’s ensure public smoking of marijuana does not happen in our state, and pass Amendment 3.”
How will Amendment 3 put a stop to public smoking?
Two ways:
The actual amendment clearly authorizes Florida lawmakers the authority to restrict public usage.
The Florida Constitution also gives them the same authority - just like they already have for smoking or vaping of tobacco products & medical marijuana products.
But currently, non-medical uses for marijuana are illegal in Florida and as such, lawmakers cannot put “limits” on something that is already illegal. Amendment 3 will not only grant adult Floridians the right to safely possess or consume limited amounts of marijuana, but will ensure that lawmakers can put common sense limits on public consumption.
To learn more, read what the experts say:
Noted attorney Glenn Burhans:
If voters approve the amendment to allow adults the ability to safely enjoy marijuana for personal use, the Legislature will have full authority to regulate or ban the use of marijuana in public places — authority that it already exercises for tobacco, alcohol and vaping.
The sponsor of the amendment, Smart & Safe Florida, carefully drafted its language to accommodate both the liberty of the individual and the public’s interest in clean, family-friendly streets, parks, beaches, and other public facilities. No part of the amendment creates a right to smoke marijuana in public. Although the amendment guarantees the right of adults to use marijuana, it does not specify where they may do so. Instead, the amendment leaves that decision up to the state Legislature as it should." READ MORE
Noted attorney John Bash:
The Florida Constitution already grants the legislature broad powers to regulate public conduct and protect public health. Lawmakers have consistently invoked those powers to regulate the public use of tobacco and alcohol—for example, by banning smoking in workplaces and restricting alcohol sales near schools. Nothing in the amendment displaces that longstanding authority.
In fact, lawmakers can—and should—act now. They could enact a law today banning the smoking of marijuana in public that would go into effect if Florida voters approve the amendment." READ MORE
Florida Senator and former Republican Party Chair, Joe Gruters on public smoking:
I fought for and passed a law in Florida to let local governments ban cigarette smoking on our public beaches. Once Amendment 3 passes, I will once again champion these same limits for marijuana. I support letting adults have the freedom to possess or consume limited amount of marijuana but know that those who choose not to smoke it, don’t want to smell it. Let’s pass this common-sense amendment and help keep Florida the true Freedom State!”
Q. I don’t like smelling marijuana in public places? Will Amendment 3 make this situation worse?
A. No, in fact a YES vote for Amendment 3 will make things better. The amendment itself and the Florida Constitution give lawmakers the unquestioned power to enact laws to restrict public consumption, just like they already do for tobacco.
As marijuana use for adults is currently not legal in Florida, lawmakers cannot put limits on something that is already against the law. Amendment 3 will change that by allowing adults to possess or consume limited amounts of marijuana legally and as such, lawmakers can (and should) pass laws to limit outdoor consumption.
Q. In places like New York City or San Francisco, the smell can be really bad? Won’t Amendment 3 make us more like those states.
A. No. It is vital to understand that a majority of adult Americans currently live in a state where marijuana is legal for them for recreational use. In most of those states outdoor smoking is not a problem because lawmakers in those states put sensible restrictions on public consumption. Other states – like New York and California – have dropped the ball on enforcement of their current public consumption laws.
We can and we should do better than them!
The Smart & Safe team strongly supports limiting the time, place and manner of where people can safely consume marijuana so that those who choose to not consume or partake are not exposed to the smell.
Q. How can I be sure lawmakers will restrict outdoor smoking?
A. Many top lawmakers – and even Governor DeSantis – have indicated their strong support for such a move. But here is the key, if the smell currently bothers you, there is nothing lawmakers can currently do. A vote for Amendment 3 is a vote to empower lawmakers to put common-sense restrictions in place.
To learn more about Amendment 3 visit
www.SmartAndSafeFlorida.org
Pd. Pol. Adv. paid for by Smart & Safe Florida - 1400 Village Square Blvd, Suite #3-321, Tallahassee, FL 32312