Staff Reports
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Goodwill is jumping into the Hurricane Ian relief effort.
Now, sales made from donated items will benefit those impacted by the Hurricane. Plus, affected individuals will be able to select items they need from Goodwill stores in Southwest Florida.
“By donating today at any Florida Goodwill stores across the state, you can directly help our counterparts in Southwest Florida,” according to the Florida Goodwill Association.
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There’s a lot happening this afternoon in the national news ecosystem. Perhaps the biggest is President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon thousands of people convicted on federal marijuana possession charges and his call to explore reclassifying cannabis.
The executive action will benefit 6,500 people with prior convictions.
In Florida, prominent Democrats are lauding the decision. Chief among them is Charlie Crist.
“President Biden’s pardon of federal marijuana convictions is a monumental step forward for our criminal justice system as we work to make our country more just and equitable for all,” Crist said in a statement. “As Governor, I will push for the full legalization of marijuana and the expungement of all existing charges and sentences for nonviolent offenses. It’s time to right the policies that have failed our fellow Floridians, too many of whom are our Black and Brown neighbors.”
Biden also called on Governors to pardon simple state marijuana possession offenses. Most possession convictions occur at the state level.
“Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely for possessing marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either,” Biden tweeted.
Although changes to state marijuana laws would have to go through the Legislature, Florida’s best chance for changing state marijuana law might be through Crist. Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn’t necessarily come out against marijuana decriminalization, but earlier this year he did note his distaste for the “putrid” stench of the reefer.
Evening Reads
—“Joe Biden pardons thousands of people convicted of marijuana possession under federal law” via Michael D. Shear of The New York Times
—“‘This is huge’: Florida Democrats laud Biden’s marijuana moves” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—“Gov. Ron DeSantis rejects $175 million in projects in latest brush with state lawmakers” via Lawrence Mower and Tracey McManus of the Tampa Bay Times
—“DeSantis upbeat about gas prices despite OPEC woes, Biden’s Venezuela pivot” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—“Federal agents see chargeable tax, gun-purchase case against Hunter Biden” via Devlin Barrett and Perry Stein of The Washington Post
—“Liberals currently control Twitter. That needs to change.” via Rich Lowry for POLITICO Magazine
—“University of Florida’s finalist for president is Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse” via Divya Kumar of the Tampa Bay Times
—“From statewide to your ZIP code: Fresh data show which party has edge heading into midterms” via Ana Claudia Chachin of the Miami Herald
—“Planned Parenthood PAC spends six figures on digital attack on DeSantis” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics
—“Testimony ends in Stoneman Douglas mass shooting trial. Closings scheduled for Tuesday” via Rafael Olmeda of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
—“SpaceX aims for Space Coast’s 3rd launch in 3 days today” via Richard Tribou of the Orlando Sentinel
—“Fat Bear Week is bigger than the bears” via Sarah Spellings of Vogue
Quote of the Day
“Sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives — for conduct that is legal in many states. That’s before you address the clear racial disparities around prosecution and conviction. Today, we begin to right these wrongs.”
— President Joe Biden on plans to address federal and state marijuana policy.
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