TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFTS/CNN) – Recreational marijuana advocates in Florida believe new efforts to decriminalize the drug on the federal level could motivate the state to legalize marijuana in 2022.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a group of Senate Democrats introduced draft legislation on Wednesday that would decriminalize marijuana at the federal level by taking it off the federal controlled substance list, according to CNN.
The move highlights the evolving politics of cannabis policy. Schumer vowed to “use my clout as majority leader to make this a priority in the Senate.”
The draft legislation will be circulated among lawmakers with the hopes of garnering more support.
If Congress passes the measure, Florida might be inclined to again follow suit as it did with hemp, said Melissa Villar, NORML Tallahassee’s executive director.
“That’s what we hear over and over,” said Villar. “‘Well, it’s federally prohibited.’ Descheduling will move the needle, absolutely, to the next song.”
Recent findings by Public Policy Polling suggest a majority of Floridians support recreational legalization, reported ABC affiliate WFTS. In a survey of more than 500 Florida voters in March, 59 percent approved legalization, 31 percent opposed and 10 percent were unsure.
At least three bills have been filed by State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Winter Park, and he said he plans to file a fourth in the coming session.
“Decriminalizing cannabis in the United States is a huge deal,” Smith said. “It’s a reminder that we’re moving in the right direction. Even though it might be painfully slow, we’re moving in the right direction.”
Smith said he expects to partner with Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, again to move the bill in both chambers, reported WFTS. Both believe legalization would add millions in new state tax revenue and ease the burden on Florida’s criminal justice system.
Although, there have been setbacks on other fronts in regards to marijuana in Florida. The Florida Supreme Court recently denied two of the biggest proposals for misleading language.
