Marijuana (File) A Leon County circuit judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit brought by incoming Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo, D-Sunny Isles B
A Leon County circuit judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit brought by incoming Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo, D-Sunny Isles Beach, accusing the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) of improperly using state funds to oppose a ballot measure for legalizing recreational marijuana.
The lawsuit, filed by Pizzo on October 4, challenged a TV ad sponsored by FDOT, which highlighted the risks of driving after using marijuana. Pizzo argued that FDOT did not have the authority to use taxpayer money to oppose Amendment 3, the ballot initiative regarding recreational marijuana.
READ: DeSantis-Led Committees Raise Over $1.5 Million To Oppose Florida Marijuana, Abortion Amendments
The ad stated, “DUI crashes increase in states with legalized marijuana, putting everyone at risk.”
In a two-page ruling, Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey dismissed the case, stating that FDOT has the legal authority to allocate funds for public service announcements. She noted that the ad did not directly reference Amendment 3, voting, or the election.
Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been actively opposing the marijuana legalization measure, has faced similar criticism for ads targeting other ballot initiatives, including a separate proposal on abortion rights.
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