Florida police chiefs are adding their names to the list of opponents against Amendment 2.
On Thursday, the Florida Police Chiefs Association said it would not be supporting Florida’s proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Florida.
“The Florida Police Chiefs Association strongly opposes any and all proposals that would legalize or decriminalize the sale, possession or use of marijuana,” said executive director of the Florida Police Chiefs Association Amy Mercer.
Mercer said the amendment could be problematic for Floridians and law enforcement agencies, expressing concerns it could threaten the safety of the community.
Our top priority is the safety of our citizens and communities, and we believe this amendment may create more problems than it intends to alleviate,” Mercer continued.
The Florida Police Chiefs join other law enforcement agencies like the Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) and other local sheriffs agencies like the Orange County Sheriff and the Palm Beach County Sheriff in opposition to the amendment.
“Though it’s being billed as about medical, we know it’s about recreation,” said Orange County Sheriff and FSA president Jerry Demings. “It’s the wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
According to a report from the American Civil Liberties Union, Florida had the third-highest number of marijuana-related arrests in 2010, when nearly 58,000 people were arrested for possession of marijuana. According to the ACLU, the Sunshine State had the 11th highest arrest rate nationwide, with a little over 300 arrests per 1,000 people.
Amendment 2 would expand the use of medical marijuana in Florida. Medical pot would only be allowed for use for those with “debilitating” medical conditions which would include cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, and for other conditions which a physician feels using medical marijuana would outweigh the potential health risks for a patient.
A low-THC strain of medical marijuana is already available in Florida. The Florida Legislature green-lighted “Charlotte’s Web” to help patients suffering from epilepsy. A bill legalizing the strain was passed and signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott in 2015, and dispensaries officially opened in Florida this summer.
Supporters of the amendment say it’s necessary to offer help to those truly suffering from life-changing medical conditions, but opponents of Amendment 2 worry it will open up too many loopholes and make pot too easily accessible and susceptible to abuse.
In order to pass, Amendment 2 needs to receive 60 percent of the vote in November. Two years ago, the proposal failed when it fell short and received 58 percent of the vote.
Recent polling, however, suggests this year might be different for Amendment 2. Most Floridians have said they support the measure, with new surveys showing over 75 percent of likely voters saying they are in favor of legalizing medical marijuana.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
