On Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) led a press event with law enforcement and the state’s attorney general to discuss Amendment 3.
Based on the search results, here are the key points about Gov. Ron DeSantis’s stance and actions regarding Amendment 3 in Florida:
DeSantis’s Opposition to Amendment 3
Governor Ron DeSantis is strongly opposed to Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana use for adults 21 and older in Florida[1].
Some key aspects of DeSantis’s position:
- He believes the amendment is “very, very extreme”[1].
- He argues it would allow marijuana use “anywhere you want” with no time, place or manner restrictions[1].
- DeSantis claims it would make Florida’s cities and towns “start to smell like marijuana”[1].
Actions Taken by DeSantis
To oppose Amendment 3, Governor DeSantis has:
- Created the Florida Freedom Fund to campaign against both Amendment 3 and Amendment 4 (on abortion rights)[1].
- Led a press event with law enforcement officials and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to discuss their opposition[1][5].
Alignment with Other Officials
DeSantis’s stance aligns with other prominent Florida Republicans opposing the amendment, including:
- U.S. Senator Rick Scott
- U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz
- Attorney General Ashley Moody
- Several state legislators[1]
Arguments Against Amendment 3
At the press event, DeSantis and other officials likely emphasized arguments such as:
- Concerns about increased crime and public safety risks[1][4]
- Potential negative health impacts, especially on youth[2]
- Worries about creating a monopoly for current medical marijuana businesses[3]
- Claims that it would lead to a “dangerous explosion in the black market”[1]
The governor and his allies are framing their opposition as protecting Florida communities from what they view as the amendment’s harmful consequences[1][4].
Citations:
[1] https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_Marijuana_Legalization_Initiative_(2024)
[2] https://www.aclufl.org/en/2024-election-voter-guide-floridas-constitutional-amendments
[3] https://floridataxwatch.org/Research/Full-Library/the-florida-taxpayers-voter-guide-for-the-2024-constitutional-amendments
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzOdwq4MPYU
[5] https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/initiatives/initdetail.asp?account=83475&seqnum=2
[6] https://www.wptv.com/news/political/elections-local/amendment-3-may-pass-in-florida-but-you-might-not-have-recreational-dispensaries-in-your-area
[7] https://www.wkrg.com/state-regional/florida/pros-and-cons-of-floridas-third-amendment-passing-this-upcoming-election/
[8] https://winknews.com/2024/10/22/amendment-3-recreational-marijuana-legalization/
Oct 24, 2024
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