Election Day is fast approaching and one of the most tantalizing offerings on the ballot is Amendment 3. This amendment would legalize recreational marijuana sale and possession in the state of Florida.

However, the amendment’s legality does not have Floridians’ best interests in mind.

For one, the majority of financial backing for the bill comes from Truelieve. A marijuana dispensary has faced several lawsuits because of its treatment of employees– including one where an employee died as a result of poor air quality in a production plant.

The proposed amendment will also protect these companies from consumer lawsuits according to Florida Article X section 29(a)(3).

“Actions and conduct by a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center registered with the Department, or its agents or employees, and in compliance with this section and Department regulations, shall not be subject to civil liability or sanctions under Florida Law,” Section 29(a)(3) states.

Now this piece of text is not new, it is rolling over from the current medical marijuana laws in place, however, I feel it is important to mention as many voters are not aware of it.

The bill also only allows people to purchase marijuana from dispensaries. These dispensaries control the marijuana from seed to sale, making it very difficult for new growers to get into the industry.

Critics also point out that businesses that sell delta-8 and delta-9 could be at risk as there is a chance that many consumers will instead start going to dispensaries for their recreational THC needs.

To be clear I am not against the use of medical and recreational marijuana, I am a huge supporter and advocate for it. I’ve seen the medicinal and recreational benefits of it and I believe it is a safer alternative to alcohol.

However, I think it is also very dangerous that Amendment 3 likens marijuana to tobacco and other nicotine products due to marijuana being a depressant.

Alcohol has psychoactive effects that impair judgment, reaction time and coordination, marijuana shares many of these effects. The amendment does nothing to address the issue of DUIS, leaving many to only speculate as to how the amendment may impact safety on the road.

The final nail in the coffin for Amendment 3, in my eyes, is the fact that it requires a supermajority. A supermajority is when a majority of 60% or higher is required. So far, states that have had public votes on recreational marijuana have had very slim majorities, usually 51% – 54%.

I think in the future recreational marijuana can and should be legalized however the language of this bill is in favor of big business, not the common man. I would like to see a bill that not only allows for home grows but also holds marijuana companies liable for their actions and products.