Legislators Push for Legal Cannabis in Florida

11 Dec Legislators Push for Legal Cannabis in Florida

Posted at 10:52h in HEMP NEWS by Carlos Hermida 0 Comments

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This year, four more states legalized cannabis for adult use. Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, and South Dakota all voted to legalize cannabis this past November, making 15 states total legal cannabis states. Not to mention the US House voted to decriminalize cannabis at a federal level.

Although Floridians did not vote to legalize cannabis this year. It is safe to say that legal pot is coming to Florida in one form or another. Petition initiatives like Regulate Florida and Make it Legal Florida are pushing to be on the 2020 ballot.

“The trend is growing towards favorability,” said State Senator Jeff Brandes.

Untitled design (24) — Republican State Senator Jeff Brandes believes legal cannabis is coming to the sunshine state whether the legislature wants it or not. He thinks its best to be in control of the law making process rather than opposing it.

Brandes has filed a bill to cut off these petition initiatives and would legalize cannabis in 2020. If his bill wins then cannabis will be legalized in the state without a campaign being formed or citizens having to vote for it.

“The way you convince your colleagues is to sit down with them and say, guys, we can either deal with this at our level or the people of the state of Florida are going to deal with it via constitutional amendment,” said Brandes.

That is not to say that Brandes is without opposition. Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis has made it very clear that he opposes legalization.

“I think the simple truth is the Governor is going to have to deal with this. Whether it be today or 2022 when he’s going to have four years to implement it,” said Brandes.

Brandes’ bill is not the only cannabis reform being introduced to the Florida legislature. Senator Randolph Bracy will also be introducing a bill that aims to forgive minor cannabis convictions.