Tracie Davis: Benefits of legal marijuana hard to ignore, voters must block out the noise
There are rare moments when citizens can put their fingers on the scale without outside influence and decide which direction they want their communities to go. In a few months, Floridians will have such an opportunity and a chance to join several states in the union in legalizing adult use marijuana through Amendment 3 on the November ballot.
This amendment will give citizens of the Sunshine State a chance to pass a common-sense reform long overdue here in Florida. This amendment will codify the adult use of marijuana into the Florida Constitution while creating a legal and transparent marketplace where these products will be regulated for safe consumption.
When thinking about the legalization of adult-use cannabis, the benefits are hard to ignore.
For far too long, too many of our brothers and sisters, particularly from our most vulnerable communities, have fallen into the criminal justice system for small amounts of marijuana. When folks are haunted by criminal records for minimal possession of marijuana, their ability to get jobs, housing and education is thwarted, hurting our state as fewer of our residents can be positive contributors to our communities.
Not only will the passage of this amendment put an end to adults being criminally prosecuted for small amounts of marijuana, but it will also save Florida millions of dollars in the reduction of costs to our criminal justice system. This policy change will also allow our incredible law enforcement officers to focus on serious crimes rather than going after people for using a substance that is now equivalent to a Bayer aspirin.
Law enforcement officials will now be able to prioritize public safety and with the passage of Amendment 3 will start a boom for Florida’s economy. Economists estimate that the allowance of adult-use marijuana will generate over $400 million annually for the state. These funds could be used however the Legislature sees fit.
Whether providing our most vulnerable communities access to healthcare services, building affordable housing or strengthening our communities against the effects of natural disasters to lower our property insurance premiums, this new revenue stream can change Florida for the better. One has to look no further than Arizona — which has reaped nearly $1 billion in marijuana tax revenue that has been allocated the police, education, infrastructure and other public priorities — to see how significant this could be for our state.
In addition to the funds that will go towards public projects, the passage of Amendment 3 will create tens of thousands of good jobs for everyday Floridians from Pensacola to Miami.
There has been criticism from those who would not wish to expand the freedom and choices of Floridians that this amendment is dangerous and will create a state wholly unrecognizable from the Florida we all enjoy today.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
The language of both the amendment and Florida’s Constitution makes clear that lawmakers — such as myself — will have complete authority to regulate the time, place and manner of consumption of adult use marijuana. My colleagues and I will address issues like smoking in public, driving under the influence and other matters — just as we do for tobacco, alcohol and other substances.
Opponents of Amendment 3 also love to say legalization will lead to increases in youth marijuana use, drugged driving and psychosis. But data from other legalization states shows those fears are overblown. Teen use has not increased and problems can be mitigated with sensible regulations like age limits, packaging requirements, potency caps and public education.
The societal harm of legalization is far less than prohibition. The reality is that much of the criticism comes not from our fellow Floridians, but from large corporations that believe this amendment will hurt their profits — even if it does benefit the state.
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Our current approach to marijuana regulation is failing. Rather than continuing to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that this substance is any different than alcohol or tobacco, the people of Florida have a chance to alter the trajectory of our state for generations to come.
Let's stop needlessly arresting people and instead create jobs, generate tax revenue and control marijuana in a legal, regulated and safe market. Help me legalize adult use of marijuana by voting YES for Amendment 3 in November.
Florida Sen. Tracie Davis, District 5, Jacksonville
This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Florida's marijuana regulation failing, Amendment 3 must pass
