Casey DeSantis, Florida surgeon general, Polk County sheriff speak out against marijuana amendment

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis along with the Florida surgeon general and the sheriff of Polk County are speaking out against Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana in the state if it is approved in November.

"It’s not about freedom—it’s about massive profits for a Big Weed, corporate cartel," Casey DeSantis posted on social media.

MORE: Bradford sheriff, former Jacksonville sheriff back Florida marijuana legalization amendment | Trump supports Florida’s Amendment 3, but says marijuana legalization ‘should be done correctly’

DeSantis said the downsides include that Florida residents can’t grow their own marijuana and the state legislature or local governments can’t rein it in because it would change Florida’s constitution.

MORE: Gov. DeSantis has come out against marijuana legalization. We fact-checked some of his recent statements | Jax weed dispensary joins push to legalize recreational marijuana while DeSantis tries to prevent it

"@GovRonDeSantis & @CaseyDeSantis are fighting to keep Florida a place that represents freedom & puts parents & families first," Florida State Health Officer and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo said. “Encouraging recreational marijuana use pulls us away from those goals. Let’s keep doing the things that make us a great state!”

DeSantis also said if passed, people would smell marijuana smoke all the time, including at playgrounds, parks, sporting events, beaches and restaurants. But in November 2002, 71% of Florida’s citizens voted for a constitutional amendment to prohibit smoking in all enclosed indoor workplaces. The smoke free law became effective July 1, 2003. Beginning July 1, 2019, electronic vapor products were included in the FCAA and are prohibited in indoor workplaces.

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) are responsible for the enforcement of the FCAA. According to state law, DBPR shall enforce the FCAA in:

• Restaurants
• Bars
• Billiards
• Bingo Halls (with food service)
• Bowling Centers
• Civic/Faternal Organizations
• Dog Tracks
• Horse Tracks

DeSantis, along with Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters and Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook, are also planning to hold a similar campaign roundtable on Thursday in Jacksonville. The group said they are coming together “to educate the public on how the legalization of recreational marijuana will jeopardize the health and safety of Floridians and would lead to a lower quality of life for all.”

MORE|Sheriff Waters on Amendment 3: Not good for Florida; ‘marijuana smoke is the most offensive smell to me ever’

To pass, the amendment must be approved by more than 60% of voters.