As a champion for people’s rights and economic opportunity, I have seen the high costs and the devastation caused by outdated marijuana laws — even for adults who simply choose to consume for their own personal use. This has to stop, and that is just part of the reason why I am endorsing Florida’s Amendment 3 to legalize limited possession of marijuana for adults.
When someone is arrested for merely possessing small amounts of marijuana — a substance, it is vital to note, that is currently legal for a majority of American adults — that person’s life, their dreams and aspirations are all but destroyed. The arrest, potential incarceration and the associated financial costs can all be devastating, not to mention the scar on that person’s permanent record. And it should go without saying, but far too often, these scars are unfairly and disproportionately applied to those in the lowest economic strata, and yes, too often on disadvantaged minorities, including religious minorities. Faith-based communities that use cannabis for religious purposes, such as Rastafari, indigenous and Hindus have reported being targeted for sanctions and arrests.
Amendment 3 is a common-sense, long-overdue measure that will be on the ballot this coming November. It simply allows for adults to consume or possess safe, lab-tested marijuana in limited amounts. By enacting this good law, we can end the madness of arresting and prosecuting adults for something that is less dangerous (according to numerous studies reviewed by the CDC) than alcohol and far less addictive than opioids. Further, after states such as Colorado and Washington legalized recreational marijuana, teen usage went down.
Because amendment proposals must deal with only one distinct subject, Amendment 3 does not specifically expand access for more minorities and small business owners to get a fair and equitable opportunity to enter the market as licensed cannabis operators, but we are anticipating subsequent efforts to open up new business opportunities for minority and small operators to enter the market. I will continue my work with regards to diversifying the Florida cannabis industry and creating opportunities for Broward County residents. We are going to create a strong, diverse workforce for our community with opportunities for people from areas that were harmed by over-policing during the prohibition era.
Amendment 3, if passed, will also allow Florida lawmakers to shepherd in new laws to require that marijuana be safely lab-tested to ensure that additives such as ketamine, fentanyl and methamphetamine are not present. All too often, illegal street weed contains these and other dangerous substances, and it’s not just other illegal drugs.
In a state House committee hearing earlier this year, Dr. Ralph Massullo testified that, when you look at illicit marijuana that’s bought on the black market, over 90% of it has contaminants, including dangerous pesticides that regulated companies that are producing medical marijuana are barred from using, ensuring their products are pure and safe.
I would like to also address one last myth that is circulating around the amendment. Some are saying that if passed, Floridians would smell marijuana smoke everywhere. But the amendment itself protect what is known as the “plenary authority” of the Legislature to enact restrictions, and a state senator has already proposed a ban on smoking in public places.
In summary, Amendment 3 is a great first step in the arena of criminal justice reform, will ensure safer products, will help reduce teen usage and will, of course, move us closer to actually being the “Free State of Florida.” Once this is in place, I am committed to championing the opening up license opportunities, economic development and community reinvestment of cannabis dollars into positive change for the people of Broward County.
Broward County Commissioner Hazelle Rogers represents District 9, which includes parts of Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, Plantation and Sunrise.
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