Florida pediatricians disagree on Amendment 3 to legalize recreational marijuana

The Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics opposes Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana for people 21 and older, arguing the passage would unintentionally expose more children to the drug.

The group of pediatricians was joined by Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who urged voters to reject the measure on the Nov. 5 ballot.

“Why do they package it like gummy bears and lollipops and Rice Krispie treats and brownies?” Casey DeSantis asked at a news conference in Jacksonville last week. “It will happen where this reaches our children, they can consume it and it could potentially be life-ending.”

The group supporting Amendment 3, the Smart & Safe Florida political committee, counters that passing the amendment will help keep marijuana away from youth.

“Legalizing marijuana for recreational use by adults makes it more difficult for youth to access marijuana and has led to a decline in marijuana use among teens,” the group said in an email to WLRN. “Voting yes on Amendment 3 means Florida adults will have access to safe, tested marijuana, while youth access to marijuana was restricted.”

Amendment 3, or the item “Personal Use of Marijuana by Adults,” on the ballot reads as follows:

“Allows adults 21 years of age or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise; permits medical marijuana treatment centers and other state-licensed entities to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell and distribute such products and accessories.”

The FCAAP told WLRN in an emailed statement that “accidental ingestions and overdoses of marijuana in children have skyrocketed in the seven years since the legalization of medical marijuana.”

“Research has also shown that legalization creates the false perception that marijuana causes little or no harm – leading to an increase in its use by adults and adolescents,” the FCAAP said.

Marijuana, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, is a mind-altering or psychoactive drug produced by the cannabis sativa plant.

In 2016, 71% of voters approved legalizing medical marijuana. Since that time, pediatric emergency room visits due to marijuana exposure in Florida have increased by 836% between 2016 and 2023. according to Florida Ministry of Health.

“The parent, family and friends don’t intentionally give it to the child, but the child finds things,” says Dr. Rana Alissa, a board-certified pediatrician and president of the FCAAP. “They can be gummy bears, they can be brownies, they can be any shape that is very attractive. So this is still a significant risk for the children.”

Dr. Alissa told WLRN about a scenario she is familiar with: a child needing emergency medical care after being unable to wake up. “You ask questions: ‘Do you have a disease or condition?’ And everything is no. And if you specifically ask, “Do any of you have marijuana in your purse or pocket?” you’ll find someone who says yes. It’s not intentional. They don’t intentionally give it to the child, but the child finds things.”

She says adolescents who purposefully consume marijuana can face academic and social problems, as well as depression and anxiety.

READ MORE: With Amendment 3, will Florida follow other states in “righting wrongs” in past drug policies?

‘Safe and smart product’

Dr. David Bergera board-certified pediatrician who supports Amendment 3 says he sees more benefits than risks. He has certified children in Florida for medical cannabis and told WLRN he is pushing for Florida to have a consistently safe product.

He says alcohol and cigarettes are much more dangerous to children and adults than marijuana.

“It’s all about parental responsibility, just like with alcohol. If you leave it, you’re the irresponsible one,” Berger said. “I have the experience of parents and grandparents who use (marijuana) and live with children or grandchildren who visit, and I have the experience of children with serious debilitating conditions like seizures and autism who have access to it.”

If Florida legalizes recreational marijuana, Berger says, it will be tested and not sold in colorful packaging or shapes that appeal to children. He believes this will help prevent exposure to street products and generate tax revenue for the state that can be used to educate children about marijuana.

According to the Smart and Safe Campaign, current medical marijuana laws in Florida require manufacturers to limit the color and size of packaging, make all packaging child-resistant, and ensure that all products are made without graphics, images or neon colors that could make the product attractive. to children. “These are restrictions that are not required for the illicit market. We can only ensure that the same restrictions apply to recreational marijuana when purchased on the legal market.”

Assistance with poison control

The Florida Poison Information Center in Miami reports that calls to poison centers regarding cannabis or related products increased from 549 in 2018 to 1,717 in 2023. Calls in 2024 increased 5.8% compared to last year.

These calls typically involve edibles containing a THC product (a psychoactive component of cannabis), dried plants, and minor cannabinoids, including hemp derivatives.

This year, 200 of the 596 edible ingestion cases involved children aged 5 and under, 82 involved children aged 6 to 12 years old and 133 involved teenagers.

Of the 259 cases involving the minor cannabinoids, 68 were in children 5 years and younger, 36 in children 6 to 12 years and 48 in teenagers.

“Poison centers now routinely treat very sick children who have eaten a parent or grandparent’s gummies,” center officials told WLRN. could appeal to children.”

The Poison Helpline is available toll-free 24 hours a day at 1-800-222-1222.

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