Marijuana

The ballot measure would have allowed companies that already grow and sell medical marijuana to sell it to adults above 21 for any reason.

Florida’s election will test whether the state maintains its new reputation as a Republican stronghold, as Democrats count on turnout for abortion rights and recreational marijuana ballot questions.

The Florida Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics opposes Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older, citing an increase in cases of emergency care among children since medical marijuana was approved in 2016.

Trulieve, a major medical cannabis distributor, has contributed more than $92 million to the Smart & Safe Florida political committee, which is pushing for passage of Amendment 3 in November.

Ken Griffin has given $12 million to an effort to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow recreational use of marijuana in Florida. The CEO of the firm Citadel, announced the contribution in an opinion piece in the Miami Herald.

Under Amendment 3, adults 21 years or older will be allowed to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products for non-medical reasons.

In all, Trulieve had contributed about $60.39 million to the committee as of July 19, according to a state Division of Elections database.

A Supreme Court decision to decriminalize possession of marijuana for personal use makes Brazil one of the last countries in Latin America to do so and possibly reduce its massive prison population.

Medical marijuana patients and advocates are upset that the Florida Department of Health emailed its patient registry to praise Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis for signing the state budget. Democratic Rep. Kelly Skidmore said using the patient list to promote policy is a revolting misuse of power.

Rick Scott became wealthy as a lawyer and health care industry executive before entering politics. Now running for reelection, he lamented that his brother had a “tough life” and says it all began with marijuana.

COMMENTARY: Mexico holds a presidential election on June 2, but its "de facto rulers" are drug cartels — a big reason Floridians should legalize marijuana on November 5.

The bill would ban the sale of products containing what is known as delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol and limit the amount of delta-9 THC. Delta-8 and delta-9 are cannabinoids in hemp that can get people high.