BAG Blogs

In summary, Amendment 3 proposes to legalize adult personal use of marijuana in Florida. If passed, individuals aged 21 and older would be allowed to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate.

Many proponents of Florida’s Amendment 3, which proposes to legalize adult personal use of marijuana in Florida, argue that the legalization of marijuana usage is seen as a step towards reducing the burden on the criminal justice system by eliminating penalties for personal use and possession.

We can do this by placing an emphasis on the medical benefits of marijuana rather than perpetuating pseudo-scientific and archaic ideas about the negative manifestations of marijuana use. Moreover, many agree that legalizing recreational marijuana will generate significant tax revenue and create jobs within the state. Lastly, supporters believe that a regulated market will ensure safer products for consumers and reduce illegal sales.

While many have worked to change the notion that using marijuana is a criminal act, there has not been enough effort to change the hearts and minds of citizens to not only see Marijuana as a form of medicine but to legalize marijuana for the fact that it provides so many healthcare benefits.

In other words, not only should individuals see marijuana as a medicine, but we need to legalize it for the fact that it is a medicine. This needs to be a transparent message made popular around the world because marijuana combats a plethora of cancers and other diseases, it should be legalized and decriminalized.

Indeed, A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that cannabis can be effective in treating chronic pain, reducing inflammation, and alleviating symptoms of conditions such as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. The research highlighted that patients reported significant improvements in pain management and quality of life when using medical marijuana compared to traditional treatments.

Moreover, A research article in Health Affairs indicated that states with legalized medical marijuana saw a reduction in opioid prescriptions and related deaths. The study demonstrated that patients with access to medical cannabis were less likely to rely on opioids for pain relief, suggesting that marijuana could serve as a safer alternative for managing chronic pain and reducing the risks associated with opioid use.

In the article Crime and the Legalization of recreational marijuana, the authors use “the staggered legalization of recreational marijuana enacted by the adjacent states of Washington (end of 2012) and Oregon (end of 2014).” According to the research, by “combining county-level difference-in-differences and spatial regression discontinuity designs, we find that the policy caused a significant reduction in rapes and property crimes on the Washington side of the border in 2013–2014 relative to the Oregon side and relative to the pre-legalization years 2010–2012.”

The research findings regarding the impact of marijuana legalization in Washington provide a compelling argument for similar policies in other regions. This evidence suggests that marijuana legalization can have positive social outcomes, contributing to improved public safety. The decrease in crime rates implies that legalizing marijuana may divert law enforcement resources away from minor drug offenses, allowing for a greater focus on serious crimes.

Furthermore, it indicates a potential decrease in the criminal activity associated with illegal drug markets, as legalization may undermine the incentives for drug-related crime. By analyzing these results, it becomes clear that marijuana legalization is not just a matter of personal choice or health; it has tangible benefits for community safety and crime reduction. This evidence should encourage lawmakers to consider the broader societal impacts of marijuana policy reform, advocating for legalization as a means to foster safer communities.

Be sure to vote “Yes” on Amendment 3 on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5th!

By Nathaniel Courtney aka Nate Turner