Tallahassee, Fla. – Proponents of Amendment 3 have made claims that there are vast numbers of individuals in Florida’s prison system serving time for simple possession, but a new Tampa Bay Times opinion editorial, published yesterday by Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon, dispelled that myth.
In an ad urging voters to approve Amendment 3, John Morgan has claimed “too many” adults are sitting in jail for using marijuana.
Yet, Secretary Dixon points out that “…there are NO inmates serving time exclusively for possessing 20 grams or less of marijuana…The narrative being promoted by some activists that individuals are imprisoned solely for minor marijuana possession is a lie…” He adds that “Presently there are only 37 individuals in the prison system who were convicted for the primary offense of possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana…” Secretary Dixon further explains that every one of the 37 also had “…either an extensive criminal record or severe accompanying crimes like grand theft, battery, child abuse or possession of other illicit substances.”
Sarah Bascom, spokesperson for the Vote No on 3 Campaign, emphasized this point, saying: “This notion that there are scores of people incarcerated for simply carrying around or smoking a joint or two is what is commonly referred to as an urban legend. It’s nothing more than those who support Amendment 3 spreading misinformation and misrepresenting the facts to Florida voters.”
In the same ad, Morgan goes on to say that if he were governor, he would “free or parole every person in jail for possession and then expunge everyone’s record.”
Bascom questions: “To be very clear, since there are ‘no inmates’ in Florida’s prisons for simple possession and only 37 for possession plus other crimes, we want to know why those behind Amendment 3 favor releasing those with extensive criminal records, including child abusers, back into our neighborhoods?”
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ABOUT
The Vote No on 3 Campaign is running a vigorous and full-throated campaign to warn Floridians about this deceptive amendment seeking to make Florida the California of the east – a notion anathema to most Floridians. The campaign will highlight how Amendment 3 will cause the black market to explode; make pot more prevalent and more readily accessible for our children; has no time, place, or manner restrictions; and does not provide a plan for how the money generated from marijuana sales will be allocated. To learn more, visit flbizagainsta3.com and follow VoteNoOn3FL on Facebook, @VoteNo_On3 on X and @voteno_on3 on Instagram.