A.G. Gancarski
State economists are grappling with how cannabis legalization would affect the state’s economy.
The state’s Financial Impact Estimating Conference addressed the financial impacts of an Adult Personal Use of Marijuana citizen initiative that could lead to a constitutional amendment for voter consideration, with legalization in effect as soon as May 2025 if 60% or more of voters approve.
Amy Baker of the state Office of Economic and Demographic Research noted this was one in a series of workshops addressing the proposal with the goal of a financial impact statement regarding the proposal, especially with regard to “costs to state and local government” and impacts to the state budget, with the goal of finalizing a report next month.
Various departments made arguments regarding the proposal during Monday’s meeting.
The Department of Revenue noted medical marijuana is tax-exempt but adult use recreational would be subject to taxation. Religious institutions and entities could qualify for exemptions, however, if the sale and purchase of these products accord with their religious activities.
Regarding property taxes, expectations are that there would be a “probable positive” impact on ad valorem collections per Baker, based on new construction.
“It could be (anywhere from) no impact to a positive impact,” Baker said. “I don’t think it would be negative.”
Committee members spent some time discussing potential differences in “strains” for medical versus recreational users, with speculation that the medical product would be scaled up to prepare for wider commercial availability to meet initial demand.
The Department of Health (DOH), which administers the state’s current medical marijuana program, anticipates potential complications from administering two programs. Currently, 3.6% of Floridians have medical cards. In other states, medical programs have tended to be cannibalized by rec sectors, but medical still remains. DOH anticipates the need to add 80 additional positions should the amendment pass.
Regarding the “black market,” the assumption from Baker is there would still be a significant illegal market even after legalization (especially for price-conscious cannabis consumers), but with some migration of current illegal recreational users to the legalized framework in what she described as a “very mature” medical cannabis market.
“Sometimes the black market is cheaper,” Baker said.
One factor that caps medical sales currently are purchasing limits per 35 days for flower or 70 days for concentrates. These limits were not contemplated Monday, but it’s likely that heavy users could use more product in a recreational framework. Tourists, who do not benefit from medical reciprocity under Florida’s current law, would likewise give the rec market a boost under the contemplated language.
Taxation, whether by sales tax or excise taxes, would be expected to add to the state coffers as well. This number could be boosted by Florida being surrounded by non-legalization states, meaning customers could travel in from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and potentially the Carolinas. California reaped $1.11 billion in cannabis taxes in 2022, a key figure since that’s a state considered to be a potential comp.
The proposed amendment, a priority of the Trulieve-funded Smart and Safe Florida, would expand market share for Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, allowing them to sell non-medical cannabis to adults 21 years of age and older, and allowing those adults to use the product as they see fit. Attorney General Ashley Moody opposes the amendment, which she says conflicts with federal prohibition.
EDR’s own documentation, provided as part of a packet ahead of the meeting, suggests legalization wouldn’t have a “significant impact” on criminality, with one major exception — impaired driving. DUIs for cannabis intoxication rose in Colorado, an early legalization state.
While some evidence suggests legalization improves police clearance rates for other crimes, the Department of Corrections doesn’t expect legalization would decrease the prison population. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement does note decriminalization has a downward pressure on certain local jail populations, however.
The Florida Associations of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs suggested traffic accidents and fatalities would rise, along with potential DUIs.
All told, economic impacts on law enforcement would be “indeterminate” based on these variables.
Regardless of where economic impacts or Supreme Court review fall on this amendment, it is strongly opposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has taken more prohibition-friendly positions the longer he’s been in office.
“This stuff is very powerful now that they’re putting on the street, and when these kids do it, it’s really bad for the youth,” DeSantis said in South Carolina last week. “We want our kids to stay clear of drugs, and we don’t want to do policies that’s going to make it have easier access for them.”
The Governor demonstrated a misunderstanding of the state’s closed market of MMTCs as his remarks continued.
“You don’t even know what they’re putting in some of this stuff now, because you have things like fentanyl that can wind up, and so if you do something with that, it could be goodnight right then and there. You could die just by ingesting that.”
Former supporter Lev Parnas claims he got DeSantis to liberalize on medical cannabis during the 2018 campaign, a move that led to the state relenting and allowing patients in the program access to smokable flower the next year.
“Whether they have to smoke it or not, who am I to judge that?” DeSantis said in 2019. “I want people to have their suffering relieved. I don’t think this law is up to snuff.”
But the Governor soon enough pivoted.
“If you look at some of the stuff that’s now coming down, there’s a lot of really bad things in it. It’s not necessarily what you would’ve had 30 years ago when someone’s in college and they’re doing something. You have some really, really bad stuff in there, so I think having the ability to identify that, I think, that’s safety, and quite frankly when you get into some of that stuff, it’s not medicinal at that point for sure,” DeSantis said, in response to a reporter’s question in 2021.
In 2022, the Governor firmed up his position against so-called “recreational” use.
“What I don’t like about it is if you go to some of these places that have done it, the stench when you’re out there, I mean, it smells so putrid,” he told reporters. “I could not believe the pungent odor that you would see in some of these places. I don’t want to see that here. I want people to be able to breathe freely.”
DeSantis, should he get the GOP nomination in 2024, could be sharing a ballot with recreational cannabis in Florida. It would be interesting to see who or what would get more votes in that scenario.
11 comments
Earl Pitts American
June 26, 2023 at 3:12 pm
Hey y’all, it’s your favorite whiskey-loving, truth-seeking, down-home American, Earl Pitt, coming at ya with a wild thought that’ll surely make ya think! Now, hold on to your hats, ’cause we’re diving into two topics that’ll stir the pot: moonshine and frogs. Buckle up, folks!
First things first, let’s talk about that good ol’ moonshine. Now, I reckon some folks might scoff and say it’s nothing but trouble, but hear me out. Moonshine, my friends, ain’t just about the taste and the kick it brings to your soul. It’s got medicinal qualities, passed down through generations of good ol’ country folk.
You see, moonshine has been hailed as a cure-all elixir for centuries. From fighting off a winter cold to soothing aches and pains, our ancestors swore by its healing powers. And you know what? I ain’t one to argue with the wisdom of the past. So next time you’re feelin’ a little under the weather, why not reach for a jar of that homemade moonshine? Just remember to enjoy it responsibly, folks!
Now, onto the curious case of frogs and marijuana. I gotta admit, this one’s a real head-scratcher. Some folks out there claim that smokin’ that good green herb can turn our amphibian friends a tadpole queer. Well, let me set the record straight, y’all. As much as I enjoy a good conspiracy theory, this one’s a leap too far!
Frogs, bless their little hearts, are just fine the way they are. They’ve been hoppin’ around and croakin’ since long before any of us were born. Now, I can’t speak for the frogs, but I reckon they got more important things on their minds than the political preferences of their fellow amphibians. Let’s leave the frogs to do what they do best—enjoy the great outdoors and keep our ecosystems in balance.
So there ya have it, folks! Moonshine may just be the secret to wellness that’s been hidin’ in plain sight, and as for our froggy friends, let’s let ’em be and focus on the real issues at hand. Remember, it’s a big ol’ world out there, so keep an open mind and never be afraid to question the status quo.
EARL PITTS AMERICAN
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Elliott Offen
June 27, 2023 at 6:50 am
Nobody reading through that stupidity you idiot.
Joe
June 26, 2023 at 4:22 pm
These Desanctus idiots have no clue what they are talking about and have no problem flip-flopping on any issue Casey mis-hears on right-wing radio. And Ashley Moody clearly has no idea about federal/state issues, or any other legal questions for that matter. It’s just morons all the way down.
It's Complicated
June 26, 2023 at 5:05 pm
If Florida is going to legalize MJ for recreational use, they need to allow individuals to cultivate their own. Not much different than home brewing beer or wine, IMHO.
GRANT HAMMOND
June 27, 2023 at 11:01 am
Amen brother !
B rian Kelly
June 26, 2023 at 5:50 pm
Legalize federally now. What’s legal to possess and consume in nearly half of The United States should not make you a criminal in states still being governed by woefully ignorant prohibitionist politicians.
Cannabis consumers in all states deserve and demand equal rights and protections under our laws that are currently afforded to the drinkers of far more dangerous and deadly, yet perfectly legal, widely accepted, endlessly advertised and even glorified as an All-American pastime, alcohol.
Plain and simple!
Legalize Nationwide Federally Now!
The “War on Cannabis” has been a complete and utter failure. It is the largest component of the broader yet equally unsuccessful “War on Drugs” that has cost our country over a trillion dollars.
Instead of The United States wasting Billions upon Billions more of our yearly tax dollars fighting a never ending “War on Cannabis”, lets generate Billions of dollars, and improve the deficit instead. Especially now, due to Covid-19. It’s a no brainer.
The Prohibition of Cannabis has also ruined the lives of many of our loved ones. In numbers greater than any other nation, our loved ones are being sent to jail and are being given permanent criminal records. Especially, if they happen to be of the “wrong” skin color or they happen to be from the “wrong” neighborhood. Which ruin their chances of employment for the rest of their lives, and for what reason?
Cannabis is much safer to consume than alcohol. Yet do we lock people up for choosing to drink?
Let’s end this hypocrisy now!
The government should never attempt to legislate morality by creating victim-less cannabis “crimes” because it simply does not work and costs the taxpayers a fortune.
Cannabis Legalization Nationwide is an inevitable reality that’s approaching much sooner than prohibitionists think and there is nothing they can do to stop it!
Legalize Nationwide Federally Now! Support Each and Every Cannabis Legalization Initiative!
MH/Duuuval
June 27, 2023 at 12:53 pm
IF Ron were actually worried about pot being tainted by fentanyl or whatever, he would want to see it sold in venues regulated by the authorities.
John Thomas
June 27, 2023 at 4:17 pm
From the article:
>>>”The Florida Associations of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs suggested traffic accidents and fatalities would rise, along with potential DUIs.”
Of course, they “suggest” that. Cannabis is not alcohol. The truth is the preponderance of the research shows cannabis is NOT a significant cause of auto accidents. — In 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), found that while drunken driving dramatically increased the risk of getting into an accident, there was no evidence that using cannabis heightened that risk.
>>>”Economic impacts on law enforcement would be “indeterminate” based on these variables.”
Wrong. That’s stuffing a lot of information under the table. – Police profit massively from the fraudulently enacted, cannabis prohibition. – It gives them millions of dollars in asset forfeitures, millions more in the bribe of “drug war” grants, easy overtime, easy arrests, easy convictions and easy promotions – all at the expense of our freedom, which is priceless!
That’s why, in regards to cannabis, the police are the enemy of freedom and reason. – They should not be given ANY input on cannabis policy. They are the foxes in the hen house. To a lesser degree, it’s the same with the pharmaceutical and alcohol industries.
Science and widespread experience have shown cannabis is not addictive and has no significant harms. – Yet, more than 500,000 innocent Americans are arrested for simple marijuana possession most years and made second-class citizens – for life!
They will forever face large obstacles to decent employment, education, travel, housing, government benefits, and will always go into court with one strike against them. They can even have their children taken away!
20 million Americans are now locked away in this very un-American sub-class because of this bogus “criminal” record, and the rest of the country is terrorized by that threat. That has a horrible effect on the whole country, being a catastrophic waste of human potential.
It also breeds massive disrespect for law enforcement, the judiciary, and government in general.
The fraudulently enacted cannabis prohibition has never accomplished one positive thing. It has only caused vast amounts of crime, corruption, violence, death and the diminishing of everyone’s freedom.
Let’s quickly join the 23 Free States that have completely ended this insane, vicious persecution.
It’s way past time to end the American Inquisition!
John Thomas
June 28, 2023 at 2:14 am
From the article:
>>>”The Florida Associations of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs suggested traffic accidents and fatalities would rise, along with potential DUIs.”
Cannabis is not alcohol. The truth is the preponderance of the research shows cannabis is NOT a significant cause of auto accidents. — In 2015, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), found that while drunken driving dramatically increased the risk of getting into an accident, there was no evidence that using cannabis heightened that risk.
John Thomas
June 28, 2023 at 2:28 am
The fraudulently enacted cannabis prohibition has never accomplished one positive thing. It has only caused vast amounts of crime, corruption, violence, death and the diminishing of everyone’s freedom.
Let’s quickly join the 23 Free States that have completely ended this insane, vicious persecution.
Comments are closed.