Marijuana was a hot topic in 2024 as Floridians voted on Amendment 3, which proposed to amend Florida's constitution to legalize recreational use for people 21 and older. The measure failed during the November general election. However, as the year came to an end, the Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) reported nearly 900,000 Floridians and seasonal residents had obtained medical marijuana cards.
Floridian’s understanding of Cannabis use has evolved, in part, due to the educational efforts of Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI).
In 2024, community engagement leaders Michelle Wilson and Anthony Washington worked to educate Floridians about cannabis and Amendment 3. “We had a lot of questions [about Amendment 3],” says Wilson, MMERI’s program manager for education, training, and community engagement. She emphasizes that MMERI focuses on education, not advocacy, when they inform the public.
Washington, MMERI’s statewide outreach coordinator, stressed the importance of continuing education on marijuana’s effects and legality. “MMERI is committed to addressing misconceptions and ensuring the public has access to factual and unbiased information,” he says.
As people sought information, Wilson noted many asked about the “qualified conditions” listed by the state Department of Health for medical marijuana. MMERI recommends the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), www.knowthefactsmmj.com, and its own website, www.mmeri.famu.edu, for more information.
MMERI plans to continue engaging communities statewide through partnerships and educational efforts. “We know that the one-on-one experience is one of the most effective ways to engage our communities,” says Wilson. Visit https://bit.ly/MMERIDecember2024 to watch MMERI’s Conversations on Cannabis Virtual Forum featuring Michelle Wilson and Anthony Washington discussing “Marijuana in Florida: A Year in Review.”
