WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Florida voters are deciding whether or not to guard abortion rights and legalize marijuana, potential landmark victories for Democrats in a state that has quickly shifted towards Republicans in recent times.
The abortion measure would forestall lawmakers from passing any regulation that penalizes, prohibits, delays or restricts abortion till fetal viability, which docs say is someday after 21 weeks. If it is rejected, the state’s restrictive six-week abortion regulation would stand, and that might make Florida one of many first states to reject abortion rights in a poll measure since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
The marijuana measure is important in a state that’s house to a big inhabitants of farmers and a bustling medical marijuana trade. The poll initiative would enable adults 21 years previous and older to own about 3 ounces of marijuana, and it could enable companies already rising and promoting marijuana to promote it to them. This vote additionally comes at a time when federal officers are shifting to reclassify marijuana as a much less harmful drug.
The poll measures must be permitted by greater than 60% of voters. In different states, abortion rights have confirmed to assist drive turnout and have been a number one challenge that allowed Democrats to retain a number of Senate seats in 2022.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and different state leaders have spent months campaigning in opposition to the measures. Democrats closely campaigned in help of each points, hoping to encourage celebration supporters to the polls. Republican have a 1 million-voter registration edge over Democrats.
Amongst DeSantis’ arguments in opposition to the marijuana initiative is that it’s going to damage the state’s tourism due to a weed stench within the air. However different Republican leaders, together with Florida resident Donald Trump and former state GOP Chairman Sen. Joe Gruters, help legalizing leisure marijuana.
Trump went backwards and forwards on how he would vote on the state’s abortion rights initiative earlier than lastly saying he would oppose it.
