Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers Calls Out 'Distortions' In Ads Opposing Florida's Cannabis Amendment

With less than two weeks to the ballot vote, the debate around Florida's Amendment 3 is heating up. Trulieve Cannabis Corp. TCNNF CEO Kim Rivers came out swinging in an appearance on a WESH2 news report in which she described the anti-cannabis ads running throughout the state as “distortions.”

Rivers has taken issue with the portrayal of Amendment 3 in political ads that claim the measure would create a cannabis monopoly in the state.

“The economic door to prosperity would be open to many,” Rivers stated, dismissing the suggestion that the amendment would only benefit large corporations like Trulieve.

The initiative, she argues, is about broadening opportunities in an industry projected for explosive growth.

During a recent visit to one of Trulieve's 155 dispensaries, Rivers spoke to employees about the significance of the amendment, which would legalize recreational cannabis for adults over 21.

Addressing Child Safety Concerns

One of the central points of contention in the opposition's campaign is the claim that legalizing cannabis will expose children to products packaged to resemble candy. Rivers has been vocal in rebutting these assertions.

“These are adult products, packaged for adults, sold to adults,” she said.

Rivers explained that recreational cannabis, like medical marijuana, would adhere to strict packaging guidelines designed to prevent any appeal to children.

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Her point was reinforced by Trulieve Medical Director Dr. Terel Newton, who added, “You won't see bright colors, animals, or neon packaging that would attract kids.”

According to Rivers, these types of regulations would continue under an adult-use program, ensuring that products are marketed responsibly.

Read Also: Ron DeSantis, Pregnant Pigs And Florida’s Cannabis Legalization: Battle Over Constitutional Amendment Rages

Fear Vs Facts

For Rivers, the campaign against Amendment 3 is built on fear rather than facts.

“And I would fully expect and anticipate that those laws and those restrictions will continue in the state of Florida with the adult use program,” she told the WESH reporter. I think it is really critical for folks to understand what this is and what this is not.”

The fight against misleading ads and scary tactics in Florida had another recent episode when Gov. Ron DeSantis leveraged the Florida Department of Education to fund a new ad campaign warning against cannabis.

• Read Next: Fact-Check DeSantis: Why Florida’s Weed Legalization Does Not Mean Smoking In Schools

Cover: Photo by jessica45 in Pixabay