Controversial Ban on Citizen Petitions Could Prevent Efforts to Expand Medical Marijuana Rights in Florida
Florida lawmakers have fast-tracked a controversial bill that takes authority from the people and consolidates it to the state legislature. This is troubling news for any proponent of a citizen referendum, but especially those seeking the legal right to use marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes. As you will see, the bill could have a disproportionate effect on marijuana rights throughout the state.
Cannabis law in Florida is new, developing, and unsettled. This leads to complicated situations and questionable actions by law enforcement. If you have been accused of a marijuana offense, it is critical to hire an attorney who thoroughly understands the nuances of Florida’s developing marijuana laws. New and complicated legal matters require the attention of an experienced criminal defense attorney. At Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney, our experienced Miami marijuana lawyer can protect your constitutional rights and help prevent wrongful convictions. Call (305) 615-1285 for a free phone consultation as soon as possible.
Taking Power from the People
According to the Miami New Times, Republican lawmakers in the Florida Legislature have worked hard to pass a bill that restricts citizen petition drives. Since the Governor signed this controversial bill, citizens are restricted in their ability to place measures on the ballot by referendum. Opponents of the ban believe this unfairly restricts the right of the people to govern themselves. Currently, 27 active petition drives are seeking to place issues on the 2020 ballot. Four of these seek to expand rights for medical marijuana users in our state. Two are aimed at allowing recreational use of cannabis for all adults over the age of 21, while another would allow citizens to grow their own weed. The last petition is an effort to add mental illness to the list of debilitating conditions that would qualify a patient for medical marijuana registration.
Currently, marijuana law is a patchwork of uneven state laws that provide widely different rights across the country. Because the federal government has mostly left the issue to be determined by the states, state laws have the authority to restrict marijuana rights altogether. This is why it is so important for citizens to be able to petition to get their issues on the ballot. With Florida lawmakers reserving this authority for themselves, the people of Florida will have a diminished ability to impact their own marijuana rights directly.
Consult with an Experienced Miami Defense Attorney About Your Medical Marijuana Rights
Marijuana law is changing vastly in Florida. This has led to confusing statutes and questionable arrests. If you or a loved one is facing any type of marijuana charges in Florida, it is essential to consult with a Miami attorney who understands these types of cases. At Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney, our experienced Miami marijuana lawyer can protect your constitutional rights and help prevent wrongful convictions. Call (305) 615-1285 or contact us online for a free phone consultation as soon as possible.
Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney handles a variety of criminal law cases, so call now if you have any questions.
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