Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly expressed his disapproval for a Florida ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana on Thursday, in an opinion essay published on Friday. If passed, Florida would join the 24 states that have already legalized recreational pot usage, taking effect for users 21 years old at least.
The piece was an uncommon foray into the political realm for a sheriff who most often avoids involvement in partisan races or issues beyond his own campaigns. Staly doesn’t endorse candidates and has even threatened legal action against those he’s felt have implied he approved of them. Still, the scope of Staly’s job would undoubtedly change if Amendment 3 is passed this November.
Health Risks of Legalized Pot?
“We must consider the serious consequences Amendment 3 would impose on our community and what Amendment 3 backers, with their well funded commercials, aren’t telling you,” Staly wrote. “Marijuana today [is] not the marijuana of yester-year or the ‘hippy’ generation. Today the THC levels are at least 5-times stronger than just 15-years ago. The consumption of such potent products can lead to acute health issues, such as severe anxiety, psychosis and heart complications. Studies indicate a correlation between regular marijuana use and the onset of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, particularly among adolescents and young adults.”
The Mayo Clinic shows a correlation between marijuana usage and depression, but stops short of alleging causation. The Journal of Translational Medicine has said that THC, a psychoactive element of cannabis, is anxiety-inducing, while the non-active component of CBD is shown to decrease anxiety. The National Institute of Health has shown a link between young men who severely overuse cannabis and schizophrenia.
Green for Green
Staly also contested that the revenue added to the state economy by a fully legalized marijuana industry would be offset by the costs of the negative effects of pot in society. “These economic benefits fail to account for the increased society costs,” he continued, “such as its impact to the healthcare system, car crashes resulting in injury and death, additional strain on child and youth services, social services, workplace productivity and the criminal justice system. These costs can far exceed the revenue generated from marijuana sales and will become a burden to the taxpayer.”
Advocates for legalization do claim a benefit to the economy, such as The Marijuana Policy Project advocates for using tax revenue to fund schools, behavioral health, libraries, and other feel-good initiatives. Others, such as two particular economists from the University of California argue that the economic benefits are overstated, albeit for different reasons than Staly’s.
A Cop’s Perspective
The ethos of Staly’s argument draws upon his career in law enforcement dating back a half-century as of next year, and how the relationship between law enforcement and marijuana has evolved in that span. “When I started my career, possession of any amount of marijuana was a felony,” he reminisces. “Illegal marijuana is easily detected by smell and through investigative means during a traffic stop that leads to a legal search. Often these traffic stops lead to the discovery of fentanyl, methamphetamines, cocaine, heroin and armed convicted felons, all because they were smoking an illicit joint while driving and committing a traffic violation. Amendment 3 would handcuff law enforcement in their ability to find and seize these drugs.”
To Staly’s point, readily evident marijuana usage in a traffic stop can indicate a crime – driving under the influence – and can thus stand as a probable cause for a warrantless search on the vehicle in question. The FCSO did not respond with data to verify or debunk Staly’s argument on the commonality of such incidents by the publishing of this article.
The Bigger Political Picture
The fate of Amendment 3 will rest on whether 60.0% of the Florida electorate vote to approve; a simple majority is sufficient for additions to the state constitution. The issue is certainly divisive over party lines – one poll shows 74% Florida Democrats support approval versus 37% of Republicans – but it’s also caused debate within the majority-holding Florida GOP.
Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump said he’ll be voting in favor of Amendment 3. “I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use,” he said. This support puts him at odds once again with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who staunchly opposes the measure. “I’m not for it, I don’t think it’s good to do,” he said. “I don’t think we need to mess up the state.”
Jeri king
September 23, 2024 at 1:57 pm
Stop bitch itching about the economy, when you have the ability to ease a financial burden on the American people.You are absolutely 💯 wrong with
the statement it’s causes Anxiety and Depression. It 💯 💶 untrue!!! It’s the exact opposite. Street drugs are the best option thesedays,but medical Marijuana is. At least people are using it for medical purposes, and provides less risk than Opiod use.
Whoever, AKA: DeSantis is a moron. Nobody has the right to force or impose their political or religious onto others. rights What people do in the privacy of their home, IS NOBODY’S BUSINESS.
You don’t have to like it, or approve. Because it’s none of your damn business. Do your damn job, and keep your views, that conflict with ours,to your damn selves.
AJDee
September 25, 2024 at 10:05 am
Jeesh! I guess you didn’t smoke today.
The dude
September 24, 2024 at 6:58 am
This has been another edition of 20th century thinking being applied to 21st century issues.
Either free the weed or make alcohol illegal. Anything else is simply hypocrisy.
Of course when it comes to Staly and MAGA, we all know hypocrisy is a party plank.
Riccardo Deluca
September 24, 2024 at 8:14 am
I’m sure Staly had a great career in law enforcement, 50 years is a longtime. It might be wise to pass the baton to a younger candidate. I’m sure Staly has a few things on his bucket list in his personal life to accomplish. It’s time to ride off into the sunset, you did a great job, when you leave then you can give your 2 cents worth on how you want the state to run. Until then the pie hole should stay shut.
BK
September 30, 2024 at 9:24 am
Of course, some politicians want everyone stoned so they can’t realize what some of our “leaders” are doing to the country. They will remind you on Election Day who is “for them” and legal weed then they hope you will go back to a steady-stoned state so all you will care about is getting stoned again. A stoned citizenry is a compliant citizenry. I’m sorry, but at 21 you should be charting a course for your future success and weed is not exactly known as a great motivator. And please don’t point to a few examples of successful people who smoke week; most of the people I smell in elevators and walking down the street don’t seem to be headed for a fruitful life. If you can’t pass a random drug test then you are disqualifying yourself from a large percentage of careers that will actually keep you off welfare. Speaking of smell, I’m tired of driving down the road and getting a whiff of skunkweed emanating from a car a quarter mile ahead of me. I had that happen once and I pulled alongside the car at a red light and the dude was smoking a big fat boy right as he was getting on the interstate. I’m sure his reaction time was right up there with Snoop Dog’s on a Saturday night. I don’t believe tax revenue is a good reason to legalize marijuana, or any other vice for that matter. As Staly said there will be more costs associated with enforcing the laws than gained from taxes. I don’t think destroying our youth’s future is justifiable for a few dollars, but money-hungry politicians don’t seem to care about the future. Just my two cents on the issue.
B
October 2, 2024 at 2:53 pm
I couldn’t have said it better myself.