ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Florida (WALA) – In this election, Florida voters have the opportunity to vote on the legalization of recreational marijuana.

If passed, Amendment 3 could have an impact not only in Florida, but some are concerned it could impact Alabama as well.

Click here to view the full text of Amendment 3

Click here to view a sample 2024 Florida ballot

As Florida voters go to the polls, they have mixed opinions on Amendment 3. Amendment 3 would allow adults 21 and older to possess, purchase and use recreational marijuana.

“I’m against it, mostly because I don’t want to smell it everywhere I go,” said one Pensacola resident.

The measure also limits the amount of cannabis people can carry, which is up to 3 ounces of marijuana or 5 grams of marijuana concentrate.

“We don’t have any problem with smoking, but stay home and don’t expose other people to smoking,” said another local.

“I don’t think there’s any harm in it. “I think it’s the same as drinking alcohol: if people want to go buy a couple cases of beer, they should be able to go buy a couple of joints,” someone added.

Many Floridians have already voted early on the amendment.

“My opinion is ‘no.’ I already voted for it. Because it doesn’t work, for medical reasons yes, but not for recreation,” said one.

“I voted ‘no,’” someone else added. “I don’t like the idea of ​​conglomerates and big money controlling it. I voted for medical marijuana a long time ago and will continue to support it. I don’t like the idea of ​​smelling smoke in the streets; I don’t like the idea of ​​it being easily accessible.”

Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons says he opposes the amendment because he “feels it will harm the community and make marijuana gummies more accessible to school-aged children.”

Former Baldwin County Sheriff and current executive director of the Alabama Sheriff’s Association Huey Mack says if the law passes in Florida, it will affect Alabama.

“We have five counties in the state of Alabama that border the state of Florida,” Mack said. “Our main concern would be that many of the people who live in those counties work, shop and go to Florida regularly. “If Amendment 3 passes, although it would be legal in the state of Florida, it would still be illegal in Alabama.”

Mack says he believes the amendment would threaten public health.

“We believe marijuana can be a gateway drug that leads to other serious drug abuse,” Mack said.

Under the text of the amendment, only medical marijuana treatment centers and other state-licensed facilities would be able to sell recreational marijuana.

The measure does not require public places to accommodate recreational marijuana users.

If approved, the law would come into force within 6 months, which puts it in May 2025.

Currently, 24 states, three US territories, and DC have legalized recreational marijuana. Medical marijuana is legal in 50 states.

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