Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate and congressman Consultant Charlie Crist introduced on Thursday that he'll legalize marijuana and expunge previous cannabis-related convictions if he's elected governor. The commentary drew a swift reaction from fellow Democratic candidate and state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, alternatively, who chided Crist for his previous give a boost to of hashish prohibition.

At an look on the state capitol in Tallahassee, Crist, who served as Florida's governor as a Republican from 2007 to 2011, stated that he would legalize marijuana if citizens elect him to the place of job once more subsequent 12 months. He additionally vowed to expunge convictions for cannabis-related misdemeanors and third-degree felonies.

"Let me be transparent: If I'm elected governor, I can legalize marijuana within the Sunshine State," Crist stated in a video posted on Twitter on Thursday. "That is the primary a part of the Crist contract with Florida."

Crist additionally stated on Thursday that beneath his legalization proposal, taxes from gross sales of regulated marijuana can be used to fund legislation enforcement businesses, extra lecturers for the state's faculties and drug diversion and remedy methods. The plan additionally helps permitting house cultivation of as much as six hashish crops and reforming the state's present marijuana business by means of decentralizing it and making it extra available to farmers who're other people of colour. 

However Crist has been a overdue adopter of hashish coverage reform. Whilst serving as Florida's Republican governor, Crist signed regulation to make cultivation of 25 or extra hashish crops a second-degree prison, reducing the brink from 300. In 2008, he stated that he authorized of Florida's harsh drug rules and adverse efforts at reform.

After leaving the Florida governor's mansion, Crist introduced in 2012 that he had joined the Democratic Celebration. In 2014, he secured the Democratic nomination for governor however was once defeated within the normal election. He then ran for the U.S. Area, the place he has served because the consultant for Florida's thirteenth Congressional District since 2016. 

He has since voiced public give a boost to for hashish reform and closing 12 months voted in desire of the MORE Act, a invoice to decriminalize hashish on the federal stage that later died within the U.S. Senate.

"We all know that individuals throughout racial and source of revenue ranges use marijuana on the identical fee. And but, for many years, it's been deficient, Black and/or Hispanic people centered for jail on marijuana fees," Crist stated in a December commentary in give a boost to of the MORE Act. "That tells me that marijuana has been prison now for some time in the event you had the appropriate pores and skin tone or the appropriate paycheck."

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Democratic Crist Has Modified His Thoughts on Hashish

After Crist made his announcement in give a boost to of hashish reform, Fried, his opponent for the Democratic nomination for governor, referred to as consideration to Crist's document on marijuana as governor.

Fried has lengthy been a supporter of hashish legalization and introduced previous this 12 months that she is a registered Florida clinical marijuana affected person. She has additionally labored as a lobbyist for the hashish business and is an investor in a certified clinical marijuana remedy middle within the state, consistent with the Tampa Bay Instances.

"Imitation is flattery, however information are information," Fried wrote on Twitter on Thursday. "Other folks went to prison as a result of Republicans like @CharlieCrist supported and enforced racist marijuana crime expenses. Satisfied he's modified his thoughts, however none of the ones other people get the ones years again. Legalize marijuana."

Drew Godinich, a spokesperson for the Fried for Governor marketing campaign, additionally attacked Crist's document on hashish reform.

"Floridians deserve a brand new technology of leaders who will reform our damaged felony justice gadget and for a constant, simply marijuana coverage," Godinich wrote in a tweet.

"That's what Nikki Fried has achieved as Agricultural Commissioner, and that's what she'll proceed to do as Governor. Charlie now says he's [in] desire of reform—however has not anything to mention for his document of many years in Tallahassee the place he persistently appreciated harsh rules to punish Floridians. We want exchange, now."

In his commentary on Thursday, Crist said that, like many of us, his stance on marijuana has modified over the years. 

"And for me, it's private," Crist stated. "I misplaced an older sister. She had mind most cancers a number of years in the past. And I consider Margaret, and I consider the way it wouldn't were as painful for her in all probability if marijuana have been legalized and the stigma taken off of it."

Crist's proposal to legalize marijuana is a part of his four-point "Justice for All" plan to reform the state's justice gadget, which he says has disproportionately impacted non-white Floridians. He additionally helps a sentencing reform plan, restoring balloting rights to these with nonviolent prison convictions and regulation to offer inmates rehabilitation credit score for taking instructional and life-skills categories.

The winner of the Democratic nomination for Florida governor will face present Republican Governor Ron DeSantis in subsequent 12 months's normal election. DeSantis is adverse to hashish reform and stated, "No longer whilst I'm governor" when requested about marijuana legalization in 2019.