MIAMI - Sen. Ileana Garcia, R-Miami, recently urged voters to vote 'NO' on Amendment 3, a ballot measure that would legalize marijuana in Florida for adults 21 years of age or older if passed in November's general election.
"How can legalizing marijuana genuinely improve your life and the lives of your family? Seriously! I urge you to vote “NO” on marijuana legalization," Garcia said. "Raising children in an environment where they become desensitized to the strong pungent odor of marijuana simply because it’s legal is deeply concerning."
Sponsored by Smart and Safe Florida, Amendment 3 would specifically allow adults to "possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise."
The organization has also received heavy monetary support from Trulieve, the state's largest medical marijuana company.
The amendment, if passed, would also allow Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers to "acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, and sell such products and accessories."
"Just like with cigarettes and alcohol, families have faced significant challenges as a result of their use—issues like DUI, cancer, and domestic violence. What’s truly disturbing about this campaign is how it glamorizes the economic benefits for teachers, and the mother advocating for it? Omg!! Meanwhile, downplaying the real risks," Garcia added.
Garcia represents Senate District 36, which covers part of Miami-Dade County. In 2022, Garcia handily defeated Democratic candidate Raquel Pachecho for the seat by eighteen points.
Garcia also has already announced a run for a second term, which will occur in 2026.
Unlike Garcia, other lawmakers in Miami-Dade County have urged voters to pass Amendment 3. 3.
The measure also has received bi-partisan support from Sen. Shevrin "Shev" Jones, D-Miami Gardens, and Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, who both appeared in a Smart and Safe Florida advertisement in September.
Former President Donald Trump also signaled his support for the amendment on social media.
In May, the Florida Republican Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution opposing Amendment 3. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also opposes the measure, arguing that if passed, the state would "start to smell like marijuana."
To pass under Florida law, Amendment 3 must receive more than 60% of the vote. The general election is set for Nov. 5.
