Banning Smoking And Toking in Public Settings

In conjunction with the expected vote on Florida's Amendment 3 outcome, the Florida legislature is preparing a bill which will prevent smoking in ALL public places. As one who moved to Florida from New York, where that law had been in effect for years, I must ask, “What took you so long, Florida?”

First, I will share that Amendment 3, if passed, will “allow adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise; allows Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories. Applies to Florida law; does not change, or immunize violations of, federal law. Establishes possession limits for personal use. Allows consistent legislation. Defines terms. Provides effective date.”

In order to pass, a vote of 60% is needed. And while current polling shows 56% approval, a large 15% are undecided. The consensus by all is that as we move closer to Election Day, many Undecided votes will move to the “Yes” column which will be enough to squeak by for approval. Pretty straight-forward.

In order to make it clear where you can smoke marijuana, a smoking ban for ALL smoking is necessary so that it is applied fairly, whether one is smoking cigarettes, cigars or weed. In that way, no one is offended or can complain about any smells or health effects of second-hand smoke.

I will let you in on a pretty well-known personal secret. I smoked cigarettes for about thirty-five years until I quit. I smoked about three packs a day for at least the last twelve of those years. I can assure you this. I cannot stand the smell of any leaf product. So I welcome the smoking ban.

And as one who came of age in the late sixties and into the seventies, I smoked pot several times. I did not care for it and instead, would prefer my Johnny Walker Red to get a buzz.

But I also had always felt that pot should be used for medicinal purposes. When I was diagnosed with cancer the first time, I certainly saw the benefit to help fight the pain of the cancer and the effects how it helped me through chemo. When I was diagnosed again, I was prescribed Marijuana and ultimately did not use it or need it.

If you smoked it and did not offend me, my attitude was for you to have at it. I am very Libertarian on this. Plus, seeing how the sale of Marijuana helped those states fiscally which legalized its recreational use, it is a bonus from which every state and the Federal government could benefit.

So, as you can imagine, I will be voting "Yes" on Amendment 3. But I won’t be joining in taking a toke to celebrate. It is not for me. My choice.

All I ask is that you are a good neighbor when you use it respectfully and responsibly.