Amendment 3: Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford relieved that voters rejected marijuana measure

DeonTay Smith, Panama City News Herald
·2 min read
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PANAMA CITY BEACH — Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford was among those who spoke at a press conference on Oct. 23 encouraging people to vote no on Amendment 3, which sought to legalize recreational marijuana use.

Now that the measure has failed — both in Bay County and statewide — Ford is relieved.

“I am very pleased to see that the voters did not pass Amendment 3 even though it had good support,” Ford said. “Marijuana has not caused us a lot of problems, but kids do have access to marijuana with bringing THD vape pens to school.”

Tommy Ford, Bay County’s sheriff, delivers remarks during Casey DeSantis’ conference about marijuana at Florida State University Panama City Oct. 23, 2024. The sheriff and Florida’s First Lady oppose the state’s upcoming Nov. 5 marijuana ballot measure Amendment 3. (Tyler Orsburn/News Herald)
Tommy Ford, Bay County’s sheriff, delivers remarks during Casey DeSantis’ conference about marijuana at Florida State University Panama City Oct. 23, 2024. The sheriff and Florida’s First Lady oppose the state’s upcoming Nov. 5 marijuana ballot measure Amendment 3. (Tyler Orsburn/News Herald)

“Things would have been worse had the amendment been passed,” Ford added. “Our beaches would have became a marijuana tourist destination. I am very pleased to see that people’s attitude and perception of marijuana has changed and things will remain the same for the foreseeable future.”

According to the 2024 election results, 55.9% of Florida voted yes to legalizing recreational marijuana while 44.1% voted no. In order for the amendment to pass, approval needed to be at least 60% statewide.

In Bay County, the measure had 56% support.

During the Oct. 23 press conference, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis and Bay County officials were encouraging no votes to Amendment 3.

"Some would say this is about freedom, but it's not," DeSantis said. "This is a constitutional amendment that creates a monopoly that you cannot undo once it is in our constitution. There would be no limitations or restrictions for the use of marijuana. People would be able to smoke marijuana anywhere and everywhere including in front of your children."

Previous Coverage: Casey DeSantis, Bay County leaders encourage voters to say no to Amendment 3

"What we are seeing already in Bay County, even with the illegalization of medical marijuana, is the infiltration of drugs into our school system," Bay District Schools Superintendent Mark McQueen said during the press conference. "We are seeing it through vapes, dab pens, and gummy bears. I've received alerts of children going to the hospital because of the drugs they are putting in gummy bears."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County and Florida rejected Amendment 3. Sheriff Ford is relieved.