{"id":4305,"date":"2021-11-03T04:20:43","date_gmt":"2021-11-03T11:20:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dispensaries.com\/blog\/?p=4305"},"modified":"2021-11-03T07:13:27","modified_gmt":"2021-11-03T14:13:27","slug":"crist-promises-legal-recreational-marijuana-in-fl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dispensaries.com\/blog\/crist-promises-legal-recreational-marijuana-in-fl\/","title":{"rendered":"Democrat Promises to Push for Legal Recreational Marijuana in Florida if Elected Governor"},"content":{"rendered":"

Democrat Charlie Crist, who is running to unseat incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2022 Florida governor\u2019s race, recently announced he will push for legal recreational marijuana in Florida if elected. His stance increases the possibility of the nation\u2019s third largest state eventually joining the ranks of legal marijuana states.<\/p>\n

Two of the largest states already have done so. California has a system in place, while New York is finalizing its legal marijuana system. Texas and Florida remain holdouts, although medical marijuana does robust business in the Sunshine State.<\/p>\n

In coming out in favor of legalization, Crist joined Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, the other top candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, in supporting legal recreational marijuana in Florida.<\/p>\n

Crist tied his legalization plan, called \u201cJustice for All,\u201d to the promotion of social justice. The War on Drugs that started in earnest in the 1970s took its highest toll on minority communities<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Crist said<\/a> his program is \u201cmy promise and commitment to the people of Florida that I won\u2019t be a governor who turns a blind eye to injustices in our communities. That\u2019s why this plan overhauls a system that has hurt and failed our people, predominantly Black and Brown Floridians, at almost every step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cWe need to finally catch up to the will of the American people with marijuana legalization.\u201d<\/p>\n

DeSantis Does Not Support Adult-Use Legalization<\/h2>\n

When he ran for governor, DeSantis opposed legal recreational marijuana in Florida, voicing concerns about the impact on teens in the state. Studies have since shown<\/a> that legalization has not led to more teens using cannabis.<\/p>\n

Since becoming governor, DeSantis also voiced concerns about the potency of cannabis used in the state\u2019s medical\u00a0marijuana program. Under his leadership, Florida has been one of the states to consider putting limits on THC in medical marijuana, a controversial idea that would place politicians in the role of deciding the potency of medical cannabis. However, DeSantis eventually chose not to limit THC.<\/p>\n

In answering a question<\/a> about recreational marijuana during his election campaign in 2018, DeSantis immediately tied legal cannabis to teens. He said that \u201cI\u2019m not somebody who thinks having recreational marijuana available for young people is something that\u2019s good\u201d and that it would make parenting harder. However, all states that have legalized marijuana have set 21 as the age limit for legal cannabis use.<\/p>\n

One medical marijuana, he said he respected the will of the people who voted for medical marijuana.<\/p>\n

What Floridians Have to Say<\/h3>\n

In a recent poll<\/a>,\u00a0 59 percent of Floridians said they support full legalization of marijuana, including recreational use. Only 31 percent opposed adult-use cannabis. Also, 58 percent said they want expanded access to the current medical marijuana program.<\/p>\n

In making his announcement, Crist said the taxes generated from legal recreational marijuana in Florida could help fund drug treatment and diversion programs, as well as support the Sunshine State\u2019s public school teachers and police officers.<\/p>\n

He also made the argument that legalization promotes social justice. He said that \u201cfor too long, we\u2019ve focused on incarceration when we should be focusing on rehabilitation, forgiveness and restoring lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fried, who is running in a tight race against Crist for the Democratic nomination, not only supports marijuana legalization but holds a medical marijuana card. She uses cannabis to treat a sleep disorder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Democrat Charlie Crist just heated up an already hot race against Florida Gov. 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