-Florida Cannabis Action Network would like to introduce you to Crystal Silins. Crystal is a proud mommy, wife, entrepreneur, and Navy Veteran. She joined FLCAN in 2019. At home in Pensacola, she co-founded the Krew de Kannabis, a Mardi Gras Parade Krew dedicated to helping normalize cannabis. In addition to the Krew, Crystal organizes Cannabis Conversation throughout the panhandle. Crystal served from 2001-2009. Her husband is currently serving in the U.S. Navy.

“Folks, we are in the Legislative Session and it’s already gotten spicy! With some unknowns ahead, we will tell you what we do know today – we’re Pivoting to 2024 for full Cannabis Legalization Efforts! That’s not to say our efforts weren’t worth it, however… but allow me to explain…

Marijuana Moment reports “Florida Marijuana Activists Pivot To 2024 For Legalization Ballot Initiative.”

There’s a lot of TALK about support for legalization, but without actually being about it and getting the signatures while influencing lawmakers, it simply will NOT happen. This year or in 2024. But clearly, we are halted right now. Not to mention Governor DeSantis has stated on the record and made it very clear that full legalization wouldn’t happen in Florida under his watch.

The Florida Legislative session kicked off on January 11, 2022. That means nothing to a wide majority of people, however for the people who are working to influence change for society, it’s a pretty important time… lawmakers are proposing, discussing, and voting on bills that change our society’s dynamic in a better effort to “serve the people.”
Of course, cannabis legalization is on the table… but ya’ll – we’re only as good as our grassroots efforts.

Marijuana Moment’s statement didn’t mention Floridians for Freedom, only Regulate Florida. While that’s unfortunate, and we think there’s a lot of common ground we should be leveraging to work together in this effort, our efforts may not have been seen or appreciated, so we’re sure to share with our supporters and followers!

Trulieve gave $250K toward the effort and Sunshine Cannabis donated $150k for the 2022 ballot initiative, however is showing only 10,200 verified Floridian signatures as of January 17, 2022. Check out those numbers for yourself.

FLCAN, in conjunction with Floridians for Freedom, did NOT have financial backing and produced 1,049 verified signatures as of January 17, 2022. Here are those numbers.

222,898 verified signatures are needed for judicial and financial impact review.
891,589 verified signatures are needed to make ballot position.

This comes out to about $34 per signature by known sponsored efforts for Regulate Florida. The mark was missed SIGNIFICANTLY… AGAIN. But what’s really alarming is Regulate Florida’s impressive PR backing, and unimpressive numbers.

Florida is the 3rd largest cannabis market in the country, and that is WITHOUT recreational access to adults. Veterans, Snowbirds, and the Tourist population are widely in favor of full legalization to better assist with regulation. But everyone wants their piece of the pie, so grassroots efforts are often laughed at, ignored, or too threatening for some in the game… we’re really not sure why they don’t want to work together on common ground. But can someone please tell us how our biggest dispensary chain in the state throws $250K on the effort and does not even produce a significant amount of signatures to date? Perhaps they’re sitting on a few more, or perhaps they’re all talk and PR stunts. We may never know, but what we do know is they do not want to collaborate efforts. If we worked together, I think we’d all be a lot more successful toward the common goal of full legalization and adult’s rights to cannabis. But why limit home grow? Floridians, please feel free to weigh in. And to those in favor, we NEED YOUR HELP for 2024. Stay tuned on what’s next and we’ll keep you posted on how the rest of the legislative session goes in 2022. FLCAN’s focus for 2022 is working hard to help decriminalize, refine the medical program, and pass employment protections for medical cardholders.

FLCAN and Floridians for Freedom are showing up loud and proud on Jan 24 for Cannabis@the Capitol- See How We Grow, our lobby day for 2022. We sure hope to see you there and have your voice be heard too. Be sure to register here (registration closes Friday, Jan 21, 2022): www.flcan.org/CaC411”

Crystal Silins
President Krewe de Kannabis
FLCAN Member
Navy Veteran
Business Owner
Cancer Survivor
Cannabis Advocate

Resources:
https://dos.elections.myflorida.com/initiatives/
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/florida-marijuana-activists-pivot-to-2024-for-legalization-ballot-initiative/?fbclid=IwAR2nSuKGixdSJfjN9TKdzRf6ZEEMXeG93dIExWLX_P3so4BnlsIeGy-dA_o