FORT MYERS, Fla. — A push to legalize marijuana is growing. Make it Legal Florida is a political action committee filing a petition to get an amendment on the 2020 ballot proposing to legalize recreational marijuana.
The amendment states any person 21 years old or older is allowed to possess, purchase, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. This is currently a felony in the state.
It also permits medical marijuana treatment centers to sell, distribute, or dispense marijuana is labeled correctly.
“It’s popular with people that are young, old, all different demographics. Everyone’s in favor of legalizing marijuana,” said Anthony Thomas, a local activist in Fort Myers.
Thomas is pushing to decriminalize marijuana in Fort Myers and plans to collect signatures for Make It Legal’s petition simultaneously.
Medical marijuana is legal in Florida, but Thomas says all pot needs to be legalized to improve the state’s legal system.
“I really believe it’s a civil rights issue of our time. We have so many people enter into our criminal justice system because of a drug that really isn’t harmful to anyone,” Thomas said.
Fox 4 reached out to Make it Legal Florida for an interview, and they responded in an email:
“Make it Legal Florida is proud to present a ballot initiative that will legalize the safe, adult use of marijuana. Public opinion is on our side, and the time to act is now. Florida voters on every side of the aisle overwhelmingly support this initiative, and at Make it Legal Florida, we are committed to ensuring Floridians have a chance to have their voices heard.” -Nick Hansen, Chairman, Make it Legal Florida
Fox 4 also reached out to the Republican Party of Lee County, and they said in a statement:
“The Republican Party of Lee County will continue to lead the movement for smaller and limited government. As medical research continues to find healthier alternatives to traditional medicine, we will continue to advocate for the freedoms that every American enjoys under the Constitution while prioritizing the safety of our children.” -Jonathan Martin, Chairman, Republican Party of Lee County
