POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida voters are deciding whether to approve an amendment to the state constitution to allow the sale and use of recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older.

On Monday, defenders from both sides presented their closing arguments.

Modern Canna of Lakeland expects productivity to increase if recreational marijuana use passes

Gov. Ron DeSantis, Republican of Florida, made two stops in Florida, in Miami and Orlando, to explain why he thinks voters should vote no on Amendment 3.

“If you’re not 100 percent convinced that this is a good idea, then you should vote no,” he said.

The amendment would be authorize medical marijuana treatment centers and other entities licensed by the state to sell recreational marijuana to adults 21 years of age and older.

DeSantis accused big marijuana companies of writing and supporting the amendment because it benefited them and their shareholders.

“They don’t give you the right to grow your own marijuana on your own property,” DeSantis said. “It’s intentional because they’re trying to funnel business transactions to them.”

Supporters said Amendment 3 did not ban home cultivation.

On the eve of the election, Smart & Safe Florida, the group advocating for the passage of Amendment 3, profiled veterans who say they have benefited from access to safe, regulated marijuana to treat chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I can say I’m taking the least amount of medication I’ve ever taken since switching to medical marijuana,” said Army veteran Forrest Miller.

Former President and Florida resident Donald Trump said in September that he would vote yes on Amendment 3.

“In our political state of division and vitriol, I am always in favor of something that is a bipartisan effort,” said veteran Adam Margio. “I support all three amendments because I think it will have cascading effects on the consuming public from an adult use perspective.”

To pass, Amendment 3 requires 60% or more of the electorate to vote yes.

“I think it’s going to impose a lot of interesting regulations and make things safer for everyone,” said Curtis Frazier, who has a medical marijuana card and supports Amendment 3. “There are a lot of bad things there and it’s another way to keep it monitored and safer.

“I think not, mainly because I don’t want it to be everywhere and feel it everywhere. I don’t like the smell of it,” said Joy Dees, who lives in Lakeland. “I have no problem with anyone wanting to do it for any reason, but I don’t want to do it recreationally, literally anywhere.”

DeSantis also expressed concerns Monday about the impact of recreational marijuana on tourism and quality of life.

In 2016, Floridians approved constitutional amendment authorizing the medical use of marijuana with 71% of the vote.

The full text can be found here: https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/initiatives/initdetail.asp?account=83475&seqnum=2

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