While those on the West Coast light up legally, advocates all over the U.S. continue fighting for the right. Ohio is setting up the adult-use market following the approval of Issue 2 in 2023, and Floridians are in decision mode. Amendment 3 will make it on their ballot this year. With 60 percent of the popular vote, it would effectively legalize adult use for adults 21 and over.
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Medical use was legalized in the state in 2017, but it hasn’t loosened any screws against the stigma for some. The state’s Republican party officially declared they were against the move in early May, and the governor himself has made staunch claims against Florida cannabis legalization. However, one camp has yet to weigh in: the cops.
Florida Police and Amendment 3
Amendment 3 has not had an easy road to the ballot thus far. State Attorney General Ashley Moody fought against the move in the Supreme Court, arguing that statements about allowing cannabis contradict federal law. The legalization amendment continues to the vote in November despite these efforts.
The Florida Police Chiefs Association, the Florida Sheriff’s Association, and the Florida Police Benevolent Association have yet to take a side. The official response from the Sheriff’s Association and Benevolent Association was that there’s “no stance yet.” The request for comment is still out to the Police Chiefs Association.
At least one of the groups should issue a statement for or against the Amendment soon, according to Nanette Schimpf, partner at Moore and head of communications for the Sheriff’s Association. They await discussion and comment from attendees of the upcoming Summer Training Conference & Exposition before public proclamation.
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The main issues many law enforcement agencies, officers, and groups cite when considering legalization are increased access for minors and concerns over marijuana DUIs.
Data continues to show that regulated state dispensaries may reduce teen interest and access to the plant, though gas station weed and an uptick of accidental ingestion balances that data from the other side. More research is needed to learn how to mitigate this pipeline.
As for driving, studies support that more dispensaries and consumers may not increase road accidents or fatalities. This data is only possible because other states and countries have legalized and found out despite a lack of support from law enforcement associations.
The value of police input for cannabis legalization
Though many await announcements from police groups, these declarations didn’t hold much water with voters in other locales. California Police Chiefs Association, Associations of Los Angeles and Deputy Sheriffs, and more than 10 additional law enforcement organizations advocated that Californians vote no on Proposition 64 in 2016.
The same was true in Washington state a few years earlier as Initiative 502 made its way onto voter ballots. In 2011, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs had a semi-annual conference one year before weed voting day, ultimately taking a firm stance against the move. There was a defined denunciation of cannabis regulation from law enforcement in both states in the months before votes were cast for legalization measures.
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Both states voted against police organization selections and legalized the plant through those measures, but that doesn’t mean the same will be reciprocated in Florida. Though confidence in cops is at an all-time low, the support of police associations may hold more weight with Floridians than West Coasters.
Whether they support the Amendment or not, those who live there are about to be inundated with information from both sides of Florida cannabis legalization. Those who value the voice of the police will likely have an answer from at least one association by mid-June. Those who don’t can carry on about their day.
