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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.
Cannabis use has come a long way from just being associated with criminal behavior, and that is in large part due to the educational efforts central to Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI).
For Michelle Wilson and Anthony Washington, the MMERI team’s community engagement leaders, 2024 was filled with opportunities to educate Floridians about cannabis, Amendment 3, and related topics.
“We had a lot of questions [about Amendment 3],” says Ms. Wilson, referring to their numerous statewide engagements. As MMERI’s program manager for education, training, and community engagement, she emphasized that MMERI remains neutral and focuses on providing education, not advocacy.
Mr. Washington, MMERI’s statewide outreach coordinator, highlighted the importance of continued education about marijuana’s effects, legality, and potential impacts. “MMERI is committed to addressing misconceptions and ensuring the public has access to factual and unbiased information,” he says.
As people sought information about medical marijuana, Ms. Wilson noted that many inquired about the “qualified conditions” listed by the state Department of Health for medical marijuana treatment. MMERI recommends the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), as a resource, www.knowthefactsmmj.com and its own website, www.mmeri.famu.edu for more information.
MMERI also offers an On-Demand education program with hundreds of modules on topics like marijuana’s history, its use in pharmaceuticals, and its effectiveness for conditions like glaucoma. Its monthly Conversations on Cannabis virtual forums allow viewers to interact with experts and explore key issues, including the federal government’s proposal to reclassify marijuana. “We know that the one-on-one experience is one of the most effective ways to engage our communities,” says Ms. Wilson.
Looking to the future, MMERI aims to continue engaging communities statewide through partnerships and educational efforts.
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