If Florida voters approve the cannabis legalization initiative this November, it would "improve quality of life" for Florida residents, said Kim Rivers CEO of Trulieve TCNNF in response to dire predictions from Governor Ron DeSantis who contends legal marijuana would reduce quality of life and, besides, it’s smelly.

"The sky has not fallen," Rivers said referring to Florida's existing medical marijuana program "and folks see that choice is a good thing," Rivers said in an interview on The Dales Report "Trade To Black" podcast Monday.

She pointed to data comparing marijuana to alcohol, saying that Florida voters stand to benefit from "having an alternative [to alcohol] that is absolutely, scientifically, evidence-backed" healthier.

"When you compare marijuana to alcohol…the data is very, very clear that cannabis, by all metrics—whether you're talking about DUIs, whether you're talking about hospital visits, whether you're talking about deaths, when you're talking about long-term side effects—is significantly safer and should be an alternative that is offered to Floridians," she said in response to a question submitted by Marijuana Moment. "I would actually say that I think we can improve quality of life."

Asked whether Floridians will pass the legalization measure. which was approved last week by the Florida Supreme Court to appear on the November 2024 ballot, Rivers replied, "Hell yeah." The ballot measure needs to garner at least 60% of the vote required to become a constitutional amendment.

Rivers’ confidence is not unfounded. After all, medical marijuana was approved in 2016 by 71% of Florida voters.

Kim Rivers, founder, chair and CEO of Trulieve, is a speaker at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Hollywood, Florida, April 16-17. Get your tickets now on bzcannabis.com  

Trulieve donated $40 million to the Smart & Safe Florida campaign, which gathered over one million signatures in what was viewed as a challenging struggle to get the initiative on the ballot.

If approved, the initiative, known as Amendment 3, would enable existing medical cannabis companies to expand their market. Economic projections suggest significant tax revenue, potentially benefiting the state’s finances.

Florida will be a steaming hot topic at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Hollywood, Florida, April 16-17 at the Diplomat Beach Resort. Join us to rub shoulders with entrepreneurs, both large and small, to network, learn and grow.

Renowned for its trendsetting abilities and influence on the future of cannabis, mark your calendars – this conference is the go-to event of the year for the cannabis world. Get your tickets now on bzcannabis.com – Prices will increase very soon!

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Image generated using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.