For Immediate Release: September 19, 2024
More South Florida Leaders Rally Behind Amendment 3
Miami Gardens Police Chief, Broward County Public Defender and State Rep. among those to support legalized adult use recreational marijuana
(Miami, FL) – Smart & Safe Florida received a slate of key endorsements today, as additional community leaders and advocates from across South Florida – including members of the criminal justice community – endorsed a YES vote on Amendment 3, legalizing adult use recreational marijuana. Endorsements announced today include:
- Delma K. Noel-Pratt, Miami Gardens Police Chief
- Gordon Weekes, Broward County Public Defender
- Rep. Patricia Williams (D-District 98)
Public Defender Weekes is available for interview upon request. Please contact Morgan Hill, morgan@smartandsafeflorida.com
A police executive with over 30 years of sworn law enforcement experience, Chief Noel-Pratt knows that passing Amendment 3 will give her police force more resources and capacity to focus on violent crime and not be bogged down by petty possession charges.
“It’s time we shift our focus from effecting arrests for small amounts of marijuana, to targeting the traffickers who pose a real threat to our communities,” said Chief Noel-Pratt. “My fellow officers’ time and resources are better spent on dismantling the networks that bring dangerous drugs into our streets. I’m supporting Amendment 3 because legalizing recreational marijuana for adults will not only create a safer environment but ensure justice is served where it truly matters.”
Born and bred by South Florida, Public Defender Weekes has championed the underserved community throughout his nearly 30-year career in criminal justice. He is advocating for Amendment 3 because he knows that no family should be torn apart over simple marijuana possession charges.
“I have seen the lives of adults ruined for simply possessing small amounts of marijuana. Amendment 3 will put an end to this gross injustice and will represent a bold first step in ending the racial and ethnic profiling that ruins way too many lives in our state,” said Public Defender Weekes. “Let’s stop putting people in jail for small amounts of marijuana possession and let law enforcement focus on real crime. Let’s vote YES on Amendment 3.”
Rep. Williams, Ranking Member on both the Education & Employment Committee and the PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, as well as a member of the Select Committee on Health Innovation, knows a vote for Amendment 3 is a vote to end the current antiquated regulation Florida adults are bound to – and that it will bring our state to the same level of liberty over half the country in 24 states and the District of Columbia already enjoys.
“Too many people too often get arrested and prosecuted for simply having small amounts of marijuana. When this happens, their lives are ruined,” said Rep. Williams. “Amendment 3 will end that very bad policy and a key reason I support safe, lab-tested marijuana being legal for Florida adults. Another reason I support Amendment 3 is mental health. Many people use marijuana to help cope with anxiety, daily stress and sleep deprivation.”
These endorsements join a growing coalition which agrees that passing Amendment 3 is the best path forward for Florida. They follow that of former President Donald Trump, the Florida Democratic Party, ACLU of Florida, SEIU Florida, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan, Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young, Republican State Sen. Joe Gruters, Democratic State Sen. Shev Jones, the Libertarian Party of Florida, and more local leaders and advocates from across the state. All illustrate the broad support across party and ideological lines behind legalizing adult use recreational marijuana.
“We are honored to have support of these leaders from across South Florida, a significant signal that passing Amendment 3 will better protect all Floridians,” said Morgan Hill, spokesperson for Smart & Safe Florida. “Despite their different backgrounds and issue areas, all three know that Amendment 3 is the best path forward for the state. From opening up funding for policing and criminal justice to improved schools and public infrastructure, Amendment 3 is truly a vote for a safer, healthier Florida.”
For more information about Smart & Safe Florida and the campaign to legalize adult use recreational marijuana in Florida, please visit www.smartandsafeflorida.com
