Florida
Florida To Vote On Marijuana Legalization On 2024 Ballot, DeSantis Suggests
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 18: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to guests at the Republican … [+]
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has stated that the Supreme Court will approve the initiative for adult-use marijuana initiative, which potentially can pave the way for the state to vote on legalization in the 2024 ballot.
If approved, the marijuana legalization initiative will be featured on November’s ballot alongside the Presidential elections, with Florida potentially joining over 24 U.S. states that have legalized adult-use marijuana despite federal illegality.
Days before withdrawing from the 2024 Republican presidential nomination race and endorsing Donald Trump, DeSantis, inquired by cannabis lobbyist Don Murphy, discussed the possibility of marijuana legalization appearing on the Florida ballot, as first reported by Marijuana Moment.
“I think the court is going to approve that,” DeSantis reportedly stated during his final campaign event in New Hampshire, “so it’ll be on the ballot.”
Despite his opposition to the reform and his previous commitment not to federally decriminalize marijuana during his presidential campaign, DeSantis said that voters will have the opportunity to decide on the issue. Furthermore, when recently questioned about a federal ban on firearm ownership for marijuana users, DeSantis argued that such a restriction infringes on the Second Amendment, attempting to position himself as a stauncher defender of gun rights.
In Florida, constitutional amendments started by citizens need signatures equivalent to 8% of the votes cast in the last presidential election. Additionally, there’s a condition: these signatures must include 8% of district-wide votes from the last presidential election in at least half of the state’s congressional districts (14 out of 28). The signatures need to be collected and verified by February 1 of the election year for the initiative to be eligible for the ballot, and they remain valid until February 1 of an even-numbered year.
After the signature collection, the secretary of state presents the proposal to the Florida Attorney General and the Financial Impact Estimating Conference (FIEC). The attorney general subsequently requests an advisory opinion from the Florida Supreme Court. This opinion covers aspects like the measure’s adherence to the single-subject rule, appropriateness of the title and summary, and potential invalidity under the U.S. Constitution.
The ballot initiative in Florida seeking to legalize adult-use marijuana has garnered sufficient verified signatures for it to be included on the November ballot, according to the state data.
Smart & Safe Florida filed the ballot measure, which received approval for signature gathering on August 23, 2022. State officials confirmed on June 1 that the campaign had submitted enough valid signatures to meet the distribution requirement in 14 of the state’s 28 congressional districts. The Florida Division of Elections reported that the group had submitted 1,033,770 valid signatures.
Under the proposed amendment, individuals aged 21 and older will be allowed to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and accessories. It also grants Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and other state-licensed entities the authority to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute adult-use marijuana products. The amendment applies to Florida law without altering or shielding violations of federal law. It establishes possession limits for personal use, enables consistent legislation, and provides definitions for terms.
As reported by MJBizDaily, the Florida-based multi-state operator Trulieve Cannabis holds a prominent position with 131 locations across the state.
In total, 11 states could potentially legalize marijuana in 2024 through the November ballot, with some currently running active campaigns and others already registered for the 2024 ballot.
Adult-use marijuana is currently illegal in Florida, and possession of up to 20 grams constitutes a misdemeanor, leading to potential penalties of up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1000, and the suspension of the offender’s driver’s license, although some cities and counties have implemented reforms, reducing penalties.
Medical use was legalized in 2016 through a constitutional amendment known as Amendment 2. The initiative, securing 71% of the vote, was successfully approved during the ballot.
TAMPA, Fla – New SNAP restrictions will start Monday in Florida.
What we know:
These changes will ban the purchase of many sugary sodas, energy drinks, candy and ultra-processed, shelf-stable prepared desserts.
Hunger Free America, an advocacy group, is against these restrictions.
Joel Berg, the CEO, said some regulation is a good thing, but he wants to see it support access to healthy foods as a choice.
“We do support mandates to mandate that healthier food is available in stores that do accept SNAP,” Berg said. “So, it makes a lot more sense to make it easier to get healthier food.”
Berg said these restrictions are unnecessary in achieving a healthier America.
“We should make America healthier again by making healthy food more affordable, convenient and physically available,” Berg said. “We shouldn’t micromanage the eating patterns of adults to try to achieve that goal.”
The other side:
This is part of the Make America Healthy Again initiative.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said, “Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic disease epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long.”
What they’re saying:
Berg said that these changes, on top of cuts to the program nationwide, will increase hunger.
“It’s not that low-income Americans don’t want healthier food; it’s that they can’t afford healthier food,” Berg said.
This coincides with the announcement that there will be cuts to WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, which supplies food to mothers and young children.
“President Trump’s budget just announced that he’s proposing taking away fruits and vegetables from the WIC program for pregnant women and children under five,” Berg said. “So, they’re taking away healthier food.”
The WIC cuts would take away $1.4 billion in fruit and vegetable benefits from 5.4 million people.
Big picture view:
The SNAP changes come as part of the MAHA movement and include more than 20 other states that will implement changes over the next two years.
The Source: Information in this story comes from WIC, SNAP and interviews done by Fox 13’s Danielle Zulkosky.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The engines are revving for one final day of high-stakes bidding and family fun at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction reaches its grand finale today with an action-packed “Super Saturday” lineup, promising to close out the weekend with a full slate of collector car sales, live entertainment, and fan attractions.
“Super Saturday,” presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, officially kicks off at 8 a.m. when gates, food courts, and the exhibitor marketplace open to the public.
What to expect
- 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: The Fantasy Bid presented by Dodge begins early, running in tandem with the automobilia auction in the arena.
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Thrill-seekers can catch Dodge thrill rides on the Barrett-Jackson Performance Track.
- 10:00 a.m.: New amenities open to the public, including the Stella Artois, Staging Lanes, and Food Court patios, which offer shaded seating and auction views.
- 10:45 a.m.: The national anthem will be performed in the auction arena, signaling the start of the main collector car auction at 11 a.m.
- Afternoon Entertainment: DJ sets run from noon to 5 p.m. across the various patios, and a detailing clinic by Adam’s Polishes is scheduled for 2 p.m. near the South Showcase.
For those unable to attend, the whole event will be livestreamed throughout the day on the Barrett-Jackson website and the HISTORY channel from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Today’s finale comes on the heels of a high-energy Friday that saw significant sales and notable celebrity interest.
Star power was evident throughout the day, particularly with vehicles tied to the Busch family. A 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible owned by Samantha Busch and a 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Custom Coupe were among the day’s heavy hitters, each fetching $159,500. Kyle Busch’s 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Coupe also drew a strong bid, selling for $143,000.
Other Friday highlights included:
- 1968 Ford Mustang Eleanor Replica: $137,500
- 2004 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Mamba Edition: $132,000
- 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Custom SUV: $126,500
- 1957 Ford Thunderbird Custom Convertible: $121,000
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With a festival-style atmosphere and high-profile sales driving momentum, organizers expect a busy crowd for the final push at the auction block today.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A quiet Monday turned into a frantic race against time when a deputy stepped in to save a choking 1-year-old’s life.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call about a 1-year-old baby choking. Upon arrival, the responding deputy performed life-saving procedures to help the child breathe again.
See also: Two arrested after 6-year-old arrives at Florida school with bruises, deputies say
Body camera video shows a deputy holding the baby, flipping it over on its stomach, and beginning to pat the baby’s back.
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When the baby begins to cry, the deputy is heard saying, “he’s good.”
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