It may have gone unnoticed because it received relatively little media hype, but a few weeks ago, in what some regard as a surprising move, Florida’s Supreme Court by a 5-2 vote, approved a ballot amendment seeking to legalize the use of marijuana for recreational purposes in the state.
The decision was regarded as surprising because for successive sessions the Florida Legislature has opposed initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana. Moreover, the state‘s governor and attorney general have publicly stated strong opposition. In addition to this opposition, the Florida Supreme Court is a conservative-leaning court.
However, the Court overrode the opposition to the measure, including arguments from Florida’s attorney general. With this approval, Florida voters will be able to vote for or against the amendment in next November’s general election. If the measure is approved by 60 percent of Florida’s voters, it will become state law.
In 2016, over 71 percent of Florida voters approved the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Since then, Florida’s medical marijuana program has boomed to be the largest medical program in the USA with over 870,000 patients registered with the state’s Department of Health to use medication extracted from marijuana for a variety of health issues.
Leading up to the 2016 vote that approved medical marijuana, a majority of Caribbean Americans in South Florida were supportive of the measure. A poll conducted by this newspaper indicated that 76 percent of Caribbean Americans were supportive. Another poll conducted after the elections indicated 67 percent of Caribbean Americans who voted in the 2016 general elections voted for the measure.
If approved the law would only permit people over 21 years of age to purchase three ounces of marijuana for personal use, not related to a medical condition.
Similar popularity doesn’t seem to be growing among the Caribbean American community for approval of recreational marijuana. While it’s not known if any, or how many, Caribbean Americans were among the over 1 million signatures that signed the petition to place the recreational marijuana issue as Amendment 3 on the Florida ballot in November, the feedback from the community indicates just over 50 percent supports the measure.
Among Caribbean Americans over age-60, only 37 percent support the legalization of recreational marijuana. In the age group 35 to 59 the support grows to 46 percent. The support for the measure increases among the age group 21 to 35 with 68 percent support.
Ironically, while several members of the community over age- 60 admit to using medical marijuana to treat illnesses, most are against recreational marijuana and firm in their opinion that smoking marijuana for recreation has serious detrimental effects on the smoker. Quite a few in this age group expressed concern it would be difficult to control family members who can go out to buy and smoke marijuana frequently
On the other hand, several doctors in South Florida have ascertained that small amounts of marijuana smoked frequently do not have serious negative effects. A Miami doctor said the reaction to smoking marijuana depends on the health and stamina of those smoking the herb. “It’s like taking medication. Most medication has some side effects. These side effects are more profound on some people compared to others,” the doctor explained. He also explained one of the common side-effects of smoking marijuana is “drowsiness, but many medical drugs also create drowsiness as a primary side-effect.”
Younger people under age 35 said they smoke marijuana regularly mostly because it makes them feel calm, and able to cope better with challenges.
Currently, twenty-four states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana use, representing a majority of the US population. According to the organization Smart & Safe which is behind the recreational marijuana amendment being placed on Florida’s ballot, there has been little evidence of negative reaction to the use of recreational marijuana in these states.
It is also ironic that the legalization of medical marijuana has mobilized the drive for legalizing recreational marijuana. Smart & Safe Florida campaign was funded by over $39 million from Trulieve, the largest medical marijuana company in Florida, operating 131 of the 618 medical marijuana dispensaries in the state. According to reports, if the amendment is approved it would allow Trulieve and 24 other companies licensed by the state to sell and grow the herb for medical purposes to begin selling marijuana to anyone over age-21.
There are several months leading up to November’s general election, and it’s anticipated there will be vigorous campaigns for and against the amendment.
It is going to be very interesting to see how Caribbean American voters cast their votes. If there is a large turnout of voters below age-35 the amendment could be well supported. If their turnout is low and more older voters over age-35, and particularly over age-60 turn out to vote the amendment may not have the support of the Caribbean American community.
