Collier County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution opposing ballot Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older and allow possession of 3 ounces statewide.
The resolution’s purpose was to show residents commissioners’ stance on the issue on the Nov. 5 elections ballot and urge voters to “do their homework” by researching the consequences.
The Sept. 10 vote comes a year after commissioners unanimously agreed to prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated Collier County, agreeing that if recreational marijuana is eventually legalized, all medical dispensaries could then sell recreational marijuana. Dispensaries are allowed nearby on Marco Island and Bonita Springs, so those would be allowed to sell recreational marijuana.
“This got on the ballot because there was a lot of money outside the state of Florida that paid to have this on the ballot,” the resolution’s sponsor, Commissioner Dan Kowal, said of marijuana growers and sellers. “It doesn’t mirror what … a lot of areas in the country are moving toward—and they don’t like that.”
Kowal, who retired from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, said legalizing the controlled substance would make driving under the influence cases rise, slow drivers’ reaction time, increase crashes and place a greater burden on law enforcement officers.
Amendment 3 would allow adults 21 years and older to purchase or use marijuana products and accessories for nonmedical personal consumption, such as smoking and edibles, and would allow medical marijuana treatment centers and other state-licensed entities to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell and distribute products and accessories.
The county resolution notes that after legalization in California and Colorado, emergency room visits and admissions for marijuana abuse increased 89% in California, while Colorado marijuana hospitalizations jumped 148%.
Kowal told commissioners drug dealers would benefit, adding, “Drug dealers are people that take the chances to better their business and … make the money, and if you give them an avenue now to sell something on the street and undercut the legal marijuana being sold out of dispensaries, they will take advantage of that.”
When he was 12 years old, Kowal said, he stole his grandfather’s cigarettes to try them, so passing Amendment 3 would encourage kids to experiment and lead to more addiction because it won’t be against the law. If it’s needed for medical reasons, he said, it’s easily accessible with a medical marijuana card—on Marco Island, Bonita Springs or by mail.
Kowal’s resolution, modeled after one by the Florida Sheriff’s Association, says legalization and commercialization of marijuana has spurred growth of a profit-driven marijuana industry that “pursued its profits ahead of public health.” From 2012 to 2022, the number of past-year marijuana users nearly doubled from 31.5 million to 61.9 million and between 2020 and 2022, the number of Americans with cannabis-use disorder increased from 14.2 million to 19 million. As of 2022, it says, more than 30% of marijuana users in 2021 had a cannabis-use disorder, while daily or near daily marijuana users eclipsed those who drank alcohol daily, 15.1 million versus 11.7 million.
Eight residents, including a doctor and retired neurosurgeon, spoke out in support of Kowal’s resolution, contending marijuana reduces the ability to think and leads to addiction, depression, anxiety, suicide and psychotic disorders.
Dr. Jessica Spencer, director of Advocacy for the Vote No on 3 campaign, said the marijuana industry expects Florida to be a $6 billion industry, the nation’s largest.
“This is about a monopoly coming in and spending $75 million to ensure this passage,” Spencer said, noting other states created an allowance for small businesses. “This amendment does not allow that. This is about corporate greed.”
St. Matthew’s House CEO Steve Brooder, whose three homeless shelters offer drug rehab programs, said it would increase addiction, psychiatric disorders and homelessness, and noted the amendment carries the nation’s highest allowable limit, “equal to 100 joints in the 70s.”
“Marijuana typically contains 2% or 3% THC content,” Brooder said. “Today, it’s as high as 90% THC content. Can you imagine 100 joints with that level of THC? … High potency products are more addictive.”
Jessica Leria, David Lawrence Centers’ director of prevention and education, said 11% of DLC’s clients are youth undergoing cannabis-use disorder treatment, which likely will increase if the amendment passes.
“Ninety percent of adults facing addiction today started using substances before the age of 18,” Leria said. “It is our responsibility as adults and community leaders to protect their developing brains from mind-altering substances.”
Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said the amendment would bring in tax revenues, but Colorado found that every dollar was offset by $4.50 in health care use and lost productivity.
“It has failed to curtail black market use,” Rambosk said. “… The Florida Sheriffs Association believes the effort to legalize recreational marijuana is contrary to the interests of public safety, health and welfare.”
