Fla. Stat. § 381.989

Current through the 2024 Legislative Session

Section 381.989 - Public education campaigns

Section 1, ch. 2017-232, provides that "[i]t is the intent of the Legislature to implement s. 29, Article X of the State Constitution by creating a unified regulatory structure. If s. 29, Article X of the State Constitution is amended or a constitutional amendment related to cannabis or marijuana is adopted, this act shall expire 6 months after the effective date of such amendment." If such amendment or adoption takes place, s. 381.989, as created by s.7, ch. 2017-232, is repealed.

(1) DEFINITIONS.-As used in this section, the term:

(a) "Cannabis" has the same meaning as in s. 893.02.

(b) "Department" means the Department of Health.

(c) "Marijuana" has the same meaning as in s. 381.986.

(2) STATEWIDE CANNABIS AND MARIJUANA EDUCATION AND ILLICIT USE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.-

(a) The department shall implement a statewide cannabis and marijuana education and illicit use prevention campaign to publicize accurate information regarding:

1. The legal requirements for licit use and possession of marijuana in this state.

2. Safe use of marijuana, including preventing access by persons other than qualified patients as defined in s. 381.986, particularly children.

3. The short-term and long-term health effects of cannabis and marijuana use, particularly on minors and young adults.

4. Other cannabis-related and marijuana-related education determined by the department to be necessary to the public health and safety.

(b) The department shall provide educational materials regarding the eligibility for medical use of marijuana by individuals diagnosed with a terminal condition to individuals that provide palliative care or hospice services.

(c) The department may use television messaging, radio broadcasts, print media, digital strategies, social media, and any other form of messaging deemed necessary and appropriate by the department to implement the campaign. The department may work with school districts, community organizations, and businesses and business organizations and other entities to provide training and programming.

(d) The department may contract with one or more vendors to implement the campaign.

(e) The department shall contract with an independent entity to conduct annual evaluations of the campaign. The evaluations shall assess the reach and impact of the campaign, success in educating the citizens of the state regarding the legal parameters for marijuana use, success in preventing illicit access by adults and youth, and success in preventing negative health impacts from the legalization of marijuana. The first year of the program, the evaluator shall conduct surveys to establish baseline data on youth and adult cannabis use, the attitudes of youth and the general public toward cannabis and marijuana, and any other data deemed necessary for long-term analysis. By January 31 of each year, the department shall submit to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives the annual evaluation of the campaign.

(3) STATEWIDE IMPAIRED DRIVING EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.-

(a) The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall implement a statewide impaired driving education campaign to raise awareness and prevent marijuana-related and cannabis-related impaired driving and may contract with one or more vendors to implement the campaign. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles may use television messaging, radio broadcasts, print media, digital strategies, social media, and any other form of messaging deemed necessary and appropriate by the department to implement the campaign.

(b) At a minimum, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or a contracted vendor shall establish baseline data on the number of marijuana-related citations for driving under the influence, marijuana-related traffic arrests, marijuana-related traffic accidents, and marijuana-related traffic fatalities, and shall track these measures annually thereafter. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or a contracted vendor shall annually evaluate and compile a report on the efficacy of the campaign based on those measures and other measures established by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. By January 31 of each year, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall submit the report on the evaluation of the campaign to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Fla. Stat. § 381.989

ss.1, 7, ch. 2017-232.

Added by 2017SPA Fla. Laws, ch. 232, s 7, eff. 6/23/2017.