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Legalizing recreational marijuana supported by business owners and lawmakers alike
by Dave Elias
10:10 PM EST, Tue January 26, 2021
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Lighting up a joint in Florida could soon be legal. Medical marijuana is already legal but some lawmakers believe it should be available to everyone with some limits.
Small businesses like Seed & Bean in downtown Fort Myers would be able to sell it.
However some people, like Marge Vanderwagon, believe people would still buy it off the streets.
"People would be buying from their known seller. They don't want to be inconvenienced to go to a specific store and specific place," Vanderwagon said.
The bill would allow anyone over 21-years-old could legally buy 2.5 ounces of weed.
Michael Hornung, a criminal defense attorney who defends those charged with possession of marijuana, believes legalization would likely cut down on incoming calls to his office but he said it's worth it.
"It's going to free up the police departments in every county in this state to not have to worry about the citizen that has a joint in their pocket," Hornung said.
Dr. Heather Auld, who runs the Compassionate Cannabis Clinic, points out that legalization will protect public employees.
"And it also protects jobs, because there is no job protection for people who have a medical marijuana card," Dr. Auld said.
Support for legalizing seems to be growing among lawmakers too.
Carlos Guillermo Smith, a Democrat from District 49 in Orlando, sponsored a bill in the house and was proud to be working with Republican Senator Jeff Brandes on a senate version of the bill.
He stated that economists have predicted the legalizing marijuana could create revenue of $2.1 billion dollars.
"It is incumbent upon legislators of both parties to seek bold solutions that also bring revenue to the state," Guillermo Smith said.
The bill would have to be approved by both houses of the legislature and then signed into law by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
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No cause of death has been released as of Monday.