Florida residents react to recreational marijuana amendment on 2024 ballot

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Florida (VALA) – This election, Florida voters have the opportunity to vote on whether to legalize recreational marijuana.

If passed, Amendment 3 could impact more than just Florida, but some fear it will impact Alabama as well.

Click here to view the full text of Amendment 3.

Click here to view a sample Florida 2024 ballot.

Florida voters heading to the polls have mixed opinions about Amendment 3. Amendment 3 would allow adults 21 years of age and older to possess, purchase and use marijuana for recreational purposes.

“I’m against it, mainly because I don’t want to smell it everywhere I go,” said one Pensacola local.

The measure also limits the maximum amount of cannabis people can carry to 3 ounces of marijuana or 5 grams of marijuana concentrate.

“We don’t have a problem with smoking, but stay home and don’t expose other people to it,” said another local resident.

“I don’t think there’s any harm in it. I think it’s like drinking alcohol: if people want to go buy a couple cases of beer, you can go buy a couple joints,” someone added.

Many Floridians have already voted early for the amendment.

“My opinion is no.” I’ve already voted for this. Because it doesn’t work – yes, for medical reasons, but not for recreation,” said one.

“I voted down,” someone else added. “I don’t like the idea of conglomerates and big money controlling them. I have long voted for medicinal marijuana and will continue to support it. I don’t like the idea of smelling smoke on the streets, I don’t like the idea of it just being easily accessible.”

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons says he opposes the amendment because he “feels it will harm the community and make marijuana gummies more accessible to school-aged children.”

Former Baldwin County Sheriff and current executive director of the Alabama Sheriffs Association Huey Mack says if the law passes in Florida, it will impact Alabama.

“We have 5 counties in the state of Alabama that border the state of Florida,” Mack said. “Our number one concern will be that many people living in these counties work, shop and commute to Florida on a regular basis. If Amendment 3 passes, although it would be legal in Florida, it would still be illegal in Alabama.”

Mack says he believes the amendment would jeopardize public health.

“We believe that marijuana can be a gateway drug to the abuse of other serious drugs,” Mack said.

According to the text of the amendment, only medical marijuana treatment centers and other state-licensed establishments would be able to sell marijuana for recreational purposes.

The measure does not require public accommodations to accommodate recreational marijuana users.

If adopted, the law will come into force in 6 months, that is, in May 2025.

Currently, 24 states, three U.S. territories and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for recreational use. Medical marijuana is legal in 50 states.