Janelle Irwin Taylor
U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel is endorsing Amendment 3 on the November ballot, which would legalize pot for recreational use among adults 21 and older.
“I have taken a closer look at Amendment 3 and will support it,” the South Florida Democrat said. “Safe lab-tested marijuana will save lives and put an end to outdated laws that ruin people’s lives for merely possessing or consuming small amounts of marijuana.”
Frankel, despite backing a bill to end the federal prohibition on the drug, had been on the fence as recently as last week on whether to support Florida’s recreational pot initiative. Frankel, a lawyer, attributed her decision to the strain on Florida’s law enforcement and criminal justice communities on enforcing what she described as antiquated laws.
“We are honored to have support of Rep. Frankel, a significant signal that passing Amendment 3 is the best path forward for Floridians,” said Morgan Hill, the spokesperson for Smart & Safe Florida, the campaign behind Amendment 3. “Ending the arrest and incarceration of adults for simple marijuana possession and ensuring Floridians have access to safe, tested products means a more just and secure Florida.”
Smart & Safe Florida has now raised a total of $71.6 million over the past two years as part of the effort to get the measure before voters. Now that it will officially be on the ballot, the campaign, as of earlier this month, had more than $15.3 million left on hand to advocate for the measure’s passage. Most of the money raised has come from Trulieve, the state’s largest medical marijuana cultivator and retailer. The company has contributed nearly $65 million, including $5 million this month.
To pass, the measure needs at least 60% of voters to cast a ballot in favor of the amendment.
Polls show dueling outcomes on the measure in November. A recent poll from Florida Atlantic University has Amendment 3 falling short of 60% support, but still with majority support at 56%. Another poll this month from USA Today/Suffolk University/WSVN showed 63% support, enough for passage.
Beyond Trulieve, the measure also has support from state Sen. Shevrin Jones, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young, ACLU of Florida, SEIU Florida, the Libertarian Party of Florida, and more. State Sen. Joe Gruters, a Republican, is also on board. His support comes despite the fact that his own political party, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, has come out against the measure.
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Christine Sexton of Florida Politics contributed to this report.
12 comments
ELVIS [FKA EARL]
August 29, 2024 at 6:44 am
Sorry Lois,
Even though your a Totaly HOT MlLF, I, ELVIS [FKA EARL] know legal recerational weed is not good for the Sage Citizens of The Great State of Florida, BTW I am looking for a Hot side chick….Call me,
ELVIS [FKA EARL]
rick whitaker
August 29, 2024 at 12:13 pm
EARL, come on, you are an 83 year old man, what woman would give you a second look. stick with the young project boys, they don’t charge as much.
ELVIS [FKA EARL]
August 29, 2024 at 6:11 pm
Right now I’m a little busy helping Carolina Amesty and will have to ask Lois to be my emergency stand-by “Side-Side Chick”,
Thank you, Sweet Lois, for your understanding and as you’ve seen already my “Ginormous Bull of The Woods Man Package”,
ELVIS [FKA EARL]
rick whitaker
August 29, 2024 at 10:49 pm
EARL, how much do you pay the project boys? spincterman, you are yesterdays news for sure. pure cornball.
Day 38
August 29, 2024 at 7:05 am
I have seen Frankel hitting the bong myself. Then she went to Taco Bell.🤣
rick whitaker
August 29, 2024 at 12:10 pm
PEACHY, come on, quit lying.
Cindy
August 29, 2024 at 9:09 am
Unfortunately to many gangs migrated to America walking freely with amino and tool’s..
So good luck unless you have tanks on every block
Cindy
August 29, 2024 at 9:45 am
Plus they can vote
Tjb
August 29, 2024 at 11:20 am
Street weed may be laced with fentanyl…legal pot is safer.
Tjb
August 29, 2024 at 1:22 pm
Legal pot will protect users from fentanyl laced street pot
rick whitaker
August 29, 2024 at 1:40 pm
TJB, that is very correct i think. problem is, florida is known for it’s shitty pot. so people will have to import it from other states.
kelly
September 1, 2024 at 2:13 pm
They want to keep the people dumbed down so that move to the projects goes easier, after they tax us to death and make out lives
completely unaffordable. And they want the tax money to waste.
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