FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2016
Contact: Sandi Poreda, APR
sandi@bulldogstrategygroup.com / 850.766.1906
FLORIDA POLICE CHIEFS URGE VOTERS TO REJECT MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION
TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) today called on Florida voters to reject the current effort to legalize marijuana through a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November. The Association is primarily concerned the proposed amendment would not provide clear guidelines for enforcement, leaving Florida’s law enforcement officers without specific instructions for consistent enforcement throughout the state.
“The Florida Police Chiefs Association strongly opposes any and all proposals that would legalize or decriminalize the sale, possession or use of marijuana,” said FPCA Executive Director Amy Mercer. “Our top priority is the safety of our citizens and communities, and we believe this amendment may create more problems than it intends to alleviate.”
The Association also voiced concerns about unintended and dangerous consequences for school-aged children, particularly with the development of edible marijuana. These edibles often look like candy or sweets, but can be extremely potent drugs. The threat for marijuana-related impaired driving is also very real, and the FPCA urged its members to be aware of the impact the passage of the proposed amendment could have on the millions of drivers on Florida’s roads. These and similar public safety concerns are the basis for the Association’s opposition to the amendment.
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