Within the Florida Cannabis Community, something is brewing. A grassroots movement is beginning to take shape in the form of an amendment to the Florida Constitution. Organizations from all over the state are mobilizing to get the word out, and gain petition signatures, for the Sensible Florida sponsored Marijuana Legalization Amendment.

WHAT IS IN THIS AMENDMENT AND WHY SHOULD I CARE?

Plain and simply put, this proposal of an amendment Legalizes Marijuana for adults aged twenty-one or older for personal use. This will allow adult individuals to possess, use, process, transport marijuana, marijuana products and marijuana accessories, effectively making cannabis legal in the state of Florida. This legislation also permits cultivating up to nine live marijuana plants per adult, with eighteen plants maximum per household. This will be a huge step in the fight for patients’ rights to proper access of medication. Another cherry on the top of the pie prevents legislature from limiting marijuana Tetrahydrocannabinol percentage. There are unfortunately a few things that this amendment does not contain. Firstly, this is not the amendment that will permit the sale of marijuana. It is believed that it will be set up very much like some other areas of the country, like Washington D.C. There, Cannabis is not purchased, but instead it is allowable to be exchanged as a gift from one adult over the age of twenty-one to another. Another aspect to this amendment is that it does not immunize federal law violations. This means that even with a Florida legalization, across state borders, federal law must still be adhered to.

WHAT CAN I DO TO GET INVOLVED?

Multiple patient and recreational advocacy organizations (such as Norml Florida, Regulate Florida, and more recently Trulieve) have started grassroots campaigns to gain the necessary number of signatures to put this amendment on the ballot for the next general election. Word of mouth is the best form of advertisement, so we must continue to get the word out. Education and information are the foundation that this can build upon as we march continuously towards legalization.

WHEN IS ALL OF THIS HAPPENING?

RIGHT NOW! As we speak, cannawarriors are preparing for the battle ahead. The goal is to get the amendment on the ballot for the 2022 General Election by collecting the required 891,589 petitions. It is up to all of us to get this massive task accomplished.