Florida is using opioid settlement money on an anti-marijuana ad campaign

Florida is diverting funds from opioid settlements to support an anti-marijuana advertising campaign aimed at educating youth and families about the risks associated with marijuana use. The state Department of Children and Families has allocated $4 million for this initiative, which includes ads warning of marijuana's potential links to serious mental health issues, such as schizophrenia. One advertisement claims that marijuana is "engineered by corporations" to manipulate the human mind. This campaign emerges as Governor Ron DeSantis intensifies his opposition to Amendment 3, a proposed measure that would legalize recreational marijuana in Florida. Although the ads do not overtly refer to the amendment, they are perceived as a strategic move to sway public opinion ahead of the elections.

DeSantis has publicly condemned the amendment, suggesting that it is more permissive than marijuana laws in states like Colorado and California. Supporters of the amendment argue that the campaign reflects the administration's efforts to stifle legalization initiatives. The situation highlights the ongoing debate over marijuana policy in Florida and its implications for public health and safety.