A.G. Gancarski
Jacksonville’s Democratic Mayor is siding with the constitutional amendment that would legalize adult-use marijuana.
That’s what she exclusively announced to Florida Politics.
“I support Amendment 3. People shouldn’t be jailed and caught up in the system for small amounts that are for personal consumption. There should still be laws in place that regulate the time, place, and manner for appropriate usage. All in all, people should be free from government interference if they aren’t putting the public in danger or disrupting the community,” said Donna Deegan.
If the question gets 60% or more of the vote, the Adult Personal Use of Marijuana initiative could expand the current retail model beyond medical necessity, allowing visitors to the state and residents without qualifying conditions access to the product with legalization in effect as soon as May 2025.
Amendment 3 would allow adults 21 years or older to “possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise.”
It also would permit “Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories.”
The amendment would allow for personal use of cannabis and derivatives, permitting consumers up to 3 ounces of marijuana and 5 grams of concentrate (such as oils, wax, shatter, and others).
Contrary to what some opponents of the amendment claim, the Legislature would be permitted to enact laws consistent with the amendment, including permitting recreational-use dispensaries to compete with the medical companies in the Florida market.
Deegan’s affirmation of the amendment follows Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters expressing opposition.
“I’m dead set against it,” he said, per WJXT. “I don’t want drugs legal in our city. I don’t want drugs legal in our state. I don’t want drugs legal in our country. It’s not good for us. It’s not good for our community.”
Polling shows the amendment could pass in November, although some Florida Republicans have only begun to fight it.
One poll, conducted by FAU’s PolCom Lab, found that 56% back Amendment 3. An additional 15% of respondents don’t know how they will vote. Another from USA Today/Suffolk University/WSVN showed 63% support.
Deegan joins a growing coalition from across the political spectrum who agree that passing Amendment 3 is the best path for Florida.
Her endorsement follows those of Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters, Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones, and the Libertarian Party of Florida, illustrating the broad support for legalizing recreational adult use marijuana.
“We’re thrilled to have Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s endorsement of Amendment 3,” said Morgan Hill, a spokesperson for the Smart & Safe Florida campaign. “Mayor Deegan understands legalizing recreational marijuana for adults in Florida is a win for the people of Jacksonville. Her efforts will be instrumental in passing Amendment 3, ensuring that Floridians have the same individual freedoms more than half of Americans already enjoy.”
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Christine Jordan Sexton contributed reporting.
8 comments
Dont Say FLA
August 17, 2024 at 10:36 am
“There’s a new sheriff in town,” says everybody in Jacksonville after the next election with the sheriff of the ballot. What an ignoramus!
Katie Whatters
August 17, 2024 at 10:39 am
No weed. No drugs at all. I promise to run all pharmacies out of town.
Do you need some MIdol like I do? Just as soon as I get my way, you’ll have to leave town just to find some Midol.
Michael S
August 17, 2024 at 11:17 am
And let’s not forget alcohol….does the Sheriff rail against the legality of alcohol? …. let alone, ingest it?
Yes, alcohol is a drug. Specifically, alcohol is a Psychotropic Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressant. Being a “psychotropic” drug means alcohol has an impact on cognition, emotions, and perception. Alcohol shares this designation with many other well-known drugs, such as Marijuana, Cocaine, and LSD.
Brian Kelly
August 17, 2024 at 4:48 pm
It’s time for us, the majority of The People to take back control of our national cannabis policy. By voting OUT of office any and all politicians who very publicly and vocally admit to having an anti-cannabis, prohibitionist agenda! Time to vote’em all OUT of office. Period. Plain and simple.
Politicians who continue to demonize Cannabis, Corrupt Law Enforcement Officials who prefer to ruin peoples lives over Cannabis possession rather than solve real crimes who fund their departments toys and salaries with monies acquired through cannabis home raids, seizures and forfeitures, and so-called “Addiction Specialists” who make their income off of the judicial misfortunes of our citizens who choose cannabis, – Your actions go against The Will of The People and Your Days In Office Are Numbered! Find new careers before you don’t have one.
The People have spoken! Get on-board with Cannabis Legalization Nationwide, or be left behind and find new careers. Your choice.
Super ELVIS
August 17, 2024 at 11:44 pm
Good evening Sage Patriots & SUPER ELVIS’ Besty Leftys, voting for Trump,
Due to Political Realitys, you all need to be brought up to speed in regards to our Political position on Donna Deegan.
STAND BY FOR NEWS:
As you all know I, SUPER ELVIS, have a “Thing” for the (Left Leaning yet increadably HOTTY HOT MlLF D. D.).
THAT BEING SAID:
We, Sage Patriots, need an operative, deeply entrenched, in the acceptance, of the “Political Dook 4 Brains Left”.
Well guess what:
We have that in Duval’s D.D. mainly due to my, SUPER ELVIS’, apprication and manly testostrian-based seduction natural “BULL OF THE WOODS” abilities to seduce HOT MlLFs in all sides of the “Political Spectrum”.
NOW DONT BE A HATER:
But I, SUPER ELVIS, have been blessed with the “PACKAGE & AND CHARM” which 98.3354% of American Men would likely kill for.
THAT BEING SAID::
Dont be a hater due to what I got and you never will have. Anyway, without going into the sensual pleasures of the flesh most men will never know ….. let me Preach On in regards to DD:
We are keeping her in place as an example of why to “Vote Trump”.
I, SUPER ELVIS, will appricate it if everyone is just nice & respectfull to DD because we need DD to continue in her “Fake Roll-Play” as a leftist.
HENCEFORTH:
I, SUPER ELVIS, will not tolerate any bad-mouthing of DD.
So it would be great if nobody bad-mouths DD going forward.
This is one of those manditory situations in which you should just let the plan play out (according to SUPER ELVIS) and refrain from any negative commentary of DD and allow Super Elvis to HenceForth run the Show.
Again no negative commentary of DD will be tolerated.
ELVIS [FKA EARL] HAS SPOKEN,
SUPER ELVIS
rick whitaker
August 20, 2024 at 11:01 pm
EARL SHITTS AKA ???, why do you keep lying to these folks. iv’e seen what you look like. you look quite effeminate and trollish in my opinion. also, i know about the dishwasher boy incident that occurred in your bar b q joint. try to explain that you POS.
Crazy Cat Lady
August 18, 2024 at 10:44 am
Honestly I like this man Elvis and am rethinking my political position.
rick whitaker
August 20, 2024 at 11:05 pm
CRAZY CAT LADY, earl shitts or super elvis or whatever stupid thing you want to call yourself, grow up and quit playing such stupid maga games. you are as about as current as henny youngman, and just as corny. f u punk
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