Proposal to Legalize Recreational Cannabis Announced in Florida
Florida State Representative Randolph Bracy has announced that he will soon be filing legislation to legalize recreational cannabis. According to Bracy,
Senator Dwight Bullard will be filing a companion bill in the Senate.
In bringing forth the issue of legalization, Bracy homes to raise concerns surrounding the injustices of cannabis prohibition, such as the disproportionate effect it has on minors and minorities. Bracy also argues that legalization would bring forth much-needed new jobs and revenue for the state.
Although the bill hasn’t been finalized – making specifics a little vague – Bracy’s office tells us that the proposal will legalize small amounts of cannabis (likely an ounce), as well as state-licensed retail outlets to distribute cannabis to any adult 21 and older. The proposal is also likely to include a provision allowing private home cultivation.
This November Florida voters will have the opportunity to legalize medical cannabis through a constitutional amendment. Bracy is in support of this law, but believes it doesn’t go far enough.
– TheJointBlog
John
Why is Florida’s legislature putting all these bills forward to legalize cannabis when their is already a ballot initiative the was just approved?
Anonymous
Because there are those who don’t have a medical condition, but would rather smoke (or eat edibles) then kill themselves slowly with alcohol. The main focus should be medical but I’m sure the recreational bill will make a very strong case, at very least, here in FL.
http://www.facebook.com/FlMedicalMJ
peacerocker
Colorado population 5.188 million approx cannabis tax $100 million.
Florida population 19.32 million possibly generating $372 million dollars in taxes each year.
John
there
John
that
Doc Deadhead
The ballot was for ‘medical’, this is for legal and taxed. If this goes through before the medical then they won’t need the ‘untaxed’ medical program. They are trying to get taxes from all pot sales not just recreational like Colorado.
crista
About time!
Marley Fan
The ballot initiative is only for medical and this proposal is for recreational.
Sean
I think this legislation is very well intentioned and of course I support adult use legalization, but I think it has a snow ball’s chance in hell to succeed this year.
Hugh Yonn
Why should we have to fight for a plant that was never ‘theirs’ to take away?
420Jon
They should of legalized it a long time ago alcohol is far more destructive on communities and family and yet they legalized it quite some time ago ppl just dont understand the benefits of marijuana i hope that it goes through but highly doubt it will they just dont understand.
Luke Cage
Hugh Yonn nailed it. The State had ZERO authority to criminalize a plant. This bill would put a halt to the MILLION$ in taxpayer money wasted harrassing/arresting/kidnapping/murdering of otherwise innocent law abiding people. You just watch the police depts, courts and other criminals try and fight this because they make too much money off of it.
Hugh Yonn
In most cases among folks in the marijuana trade, the only thing that makes them ‘the criminal element’ is that their product is illegal.
I was involved in the business for 14 years. NONE of the guys and girls I dealt with considered themselves ‘criminals.’
‘Law breakers,’ yes. ‘Criminals,’ no.
We saw a need and filled it.
Our only brush with ‘lawlessness’ was involvement with cannabis. We weren’t robbing, killing, being ‘bad guys.’
We were importing and selling weed, performing a public service.
In that era, the DEA estimated that 40 tons of pot per day were being consumed in the United States. Where did folks think it was coming from? Criminals?
No. They got it from their buddy, the ‘dealer man.’
And, yes…a LOT of us went to prison. The Prison Industrial Complex is very real…
A million thanks for your comment, Luke Cage… I wish you the very best…
Gary
Cannibus is a cure and or treatment for many deseases! Cigarettes treat nothing and cause millions of deaths! Alchhol is the same with domestic violence and vehicular associated deaths to add! I believe to keep the support of the Citizens legalization for medical and recreational marijuana is necessary!
Mary Hess
I’m a strong supporter of having pot legalized in any state. I reside in Florida & would like to see it legal here, I’m sure so many would benefit from it not to mention put a lot of people to work who would enjoy their job & have less stress in their lives. The money that Florida could benefit from would help Floridians & snow birds in the long run. I’d be very interested in helping advocating to have it legalized here in Florida. Please feel free to contact me if I may be of some help. Mary