TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida lawmakers are pushing a new bill that could make open cannabis containers in vehicles as “taboo” as open alcohol containers.
The proposed legislation, HB 1003: Open Cannabis Containers in Motor Vehicles, also known as the “Clear Minds, Safe Roads Act,” is sponsored by Rep. Dean Black (R-Yulee) and apparently aims to ensure safety on the state’s roads.
If passed, this law would prohibit people from possessing open cannabis containers while operating a vehicle or even while being a passenger in one.
“Nearly 4,000 people are killed and injured in Florida each year due to the effects of driving high on THC. It’s time to establish this as a taboo just like alcohol. I am proud to be sponsoring this legislation in the House,” Black said in a post on X.
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According to the proposal, it would also apply to those seated in a vehicle that is parked or stopped on the road.
The legislation includes specific provisions, such as defining what constitutes an “open cannabis container” and setting penalties for violations.
Additionally, local governments would have the authority to create their own ordinances regarding these regulations. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) would be tasked with reporting certain violations to the Department of Health (DOH), which would then take action against qualified patients and caregivers who violate these rules.
