A Sarasota County senator wants to outlaw all public smoking since marijuana use may soon be legalized in Florida. Legislation that would outlaw all forms of smoking in public areas is planned to be proposed by state senator Joe Gruters, a Republican from Sarasota.
“This is a big complaint that people have; they just don’t want to smell it,” Gruters stated.
Cities and counties in Florida are already able to control smoking in parks and on beaches because to existing legislation.
The proposal goes one step farther and incorporates marijuana and vaping. The request is made at a time when marijuana use may soon be legal in the state.
“Amendment 3 is going to pass.” Gruters said. “I think it’s going to move forward in November and the question that people have is what does that mean for every day individual Floridians walking around the street.”
Paul Armentano, deputy director of the pro-marijuana group NORML, stated that the group is in favor of laws prohibiting the smoking of marijuana in public areas.
Armentano countered that there is no reason to expect that Amendment 3 will result in the widespread use of cannabis by the general public, citing the fact that Florida’s medicinal cannabis use has not.
“The sky hasn’t fallen in Florida because they adopted this policy and it’s not going to fall if Floridians approve Amendment 3,” Armentano stated.
Gruters stated that while he agrees with Amendment 3, he also wants to set limits to safeguard the general public.
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He said that, “Over 50% of the country has legalized recreational adult use of marijuana. Some states have done it better than others.”
Gruters stated that although there is currently bipartisan support for the proposal, it is still in its infancy and subject to change as it moves through the legislative process. In the spring legislative session, he intends to introduce it.
